READFIELD -1- Lawrence Clifford Cushing Sr., 87, died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, in Wiersdale, Fla. He was born in Franklin, N.H., on May 14, 1918, the son of Patrick and Frances (Weston) Cushing. He graduated from high school in New Hampshire. He entered the Army Signal Corps, serving during World War II. After the war, he moved to Utah, working as a flight specialist. He also had his own drilling business, testing for uranium. Lawrence moved to Maine and opened a television- and radio-repair business. He then went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Augusta State Airport, working in flight service. His next step was becoming president of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists in Washington, D.C. He was there until 1983, when he moved back to Maine again and worked for the FAA at the Augusta Airport until 1987. He went on to become town manager in Fayette for a year and also wrote for the Kennebec Journal. When Lawrence finally retired, he spent a lot of time fishing at his home in Readfield until he moved to Wiersdale. In Florida, he enjoyed taking friends and family for rides on the Ocklawaha River. He always greeted everyone he met with a smile and was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors. Mr. Cushing was predeceased by a son, Roger E. Cushing; a daughter, Kathleen Cushing; three sisters, Alice Cushing, Ruth Cushing and Laura Kelly; four brothers, Raymond, Robert, Andrew and Arthur Cushing; and his second wife, Claire McLaughlin. He is survived by three sons, Tom Rush and his wife, Rene, of Moose, Wyo., Patrick Cushing of Wiersdale and Lawrence C. Cushing Jr. of Readfield; three daughters, Muriel Cushing of Readfield, Cynthia Cushing of Readfield and Stacey Shaw and her husband, Christopher, of Readfield; four brothers, Donald, Tom, Bernard and Eugene Cushing; his longtime companion, Barbara Gobeil; his first wife, Gladys L. Downing; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winthrop, with the Rev. Brian Blanchette, celebrant. Burial will follow in Readfield Corner Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Maine Chapter, 1 Main St., Topsham 04086.