George Lawrence spent his adult life sharing his love of bowling with Lake County residents.
As the longtime owner of Bertrand Bowling Lanes in Waukegan, he found ways — both big and small — to make the sport fun. He let the local schools use his alley for gym classes, hosted professional tournaments and occasionally slipped doughnuts into bowlers’ bags to brighten their days.
“He just went out of his way to make them happy,” his wife, Doris Lawrence, said.
George Carlton Lawrence died Aug. 7 in his Gurnee home. He was 87.
Born June 7, 1938, in Grayslake to Evan and Bernice Lawrence, he was a graduate of Warren High School in Gurnee and lived in Gurnee with his wife for 37 years. Lawrence was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about 15 years ago and it slowly progressed.
Lawrence became the owner of Bertrand Bowling in 1964, turning the alley into a home for Pro Bowl tournaments and bowl-a-thons. He was at the alley seven days a week, and participated in many of the leagues, his wife said.
Upon his retirement in 2023, he was inducted into the Lake County Bowling Association Hall of Fame for “fostering the love of bowling.” His son Steve is a competitive bowler who participates in tournaments across the country.
Apart from traveling to tournaments, Lawrence and his wife would often plan their personal vacations around his busy bowling schedule.
“The only thing negative I could say is his hours,” Doris Lawrence said. “He was a busy, busy man.”
Doris Lawrence said her husband had a special spot in his heart for senior and young bowlers. In addition to surprising them with doughnuts, he often would give presents to the best senior and youth bowlers around the holidays.
“Whoever bowled highest on their team would get a turkey,” Doris Lawrence said.
Lawrence spent most of his life in Lake County, according to his wife. He was honored with the Extra Mile for Waukegan Award in June 2023. He also received the Book of Golden Deeds award, which recognizes dedicated volunteers who gave their time and talents toward making their community a better place
He was president of the Waukegan Exchange Club, as well as a member of the board of directors for the Family Service Agency of Northern Lake County, the Waukegan Moose Lodge #706 and the Waukegan Elks Lodge #702.
He volunteered at silent auctions, casino nights, parades and “Pancake Days,” the latter of which Doris Lawrence said he never missed.
He was the kind of outgoing, big-hearted man who seemed to know everyone, his wife said. She recalled a fellow bowler recognizing him at a gas station in Utah because they once competed in the same league. Lawrence always looked to connect with people, whether that was through a game or in day-to-day interactions.
“Everywhere we went, we found someone he knew,” she said.
George’s second favorite spot, apart from the alley, was Kauai, Hawaii, where he and his family vacationed for the past 20 years. George made friends during those trips and kept in touch with them for years.
“Bowling took his time, but his family took his love,” his wife said.
Other survivors include a son, Steve; a daughter, Sharon; a stepdaughter, Melissa; two brothers, Evan and Bob “Bud”; a sister, Trudy; and seven grandchildren.
There is a memorial service from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at Warren Funeral Home, 1475 N. Cemetery Road in Gurnee.
