Laurence Alan Kroll
April 4, 1945 ~ May 17, 2024
Laurence (Laurie) Alan Kroll, 79, Beloved Caregiver and Adventurer
Laurence (Laurie) Alan Kroll, 79, was born on April 4, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, and passed away on May 17, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida. Raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Laurie spent the last 40 years of his life in Gainesville, leaving a lasting impact on the community he cherished.
Laurie is survived by his loving wife, Celeste Davis Kroll, and his sister, Kathie Weinmann. He also helped raise two stepchildren, Andrew and Matthew Davis, during his time in Gainesville.
A dedicated caregiver, Laurie worked for the State of Florida for 20 years, including service at the North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center. His compassionate nature extended into his retirement, where he poured himself into volunteer work for numerous organizations. Laurie was particularly proud of his two-week stint aiding in disaster recovery in Homestead following Hurricane Andrew. He also dedicated many years to the Guardian Ad Litem program and actively assisted in local, state, and federal elections.
Laurie had a passion for singing and often shared his beautiful voice with local choruses and theater groups. His love for travel took him camping across the US and Canada and exploring four continents. Some of his favorite destinations included Morocco, Mexico, Colombia, Egypt, Italy, and Spain.
In his younger years, Laurie was deeply spiritual and served as a healer at the Lily Dale Assembly in New York State. Alongside his first wife, he designed and imported jewelry from Mexico, selling their unique pieces throughout the U.S.
Known for his humor, love, and passion, Laurie was also a devoted nature lover and avid birder. His birding adventures took him far and wide, and he proudly maintained a life list of over 500 species.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Laurie’s memory to the Alachua Audubon Society or a charity of choice.
Laurie will be remembered for his caring heart, adventurous spirit, and the joy he brought into the lives of those around him.
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A life well lived. ❤️
Celeste,
We are sending you lots of love and light and we will always keep the memory of Laurie in our hearts.
Laurie and I had a special connection since our names are the same. He would always greet me warmly at the gym or at church. He had a great attitude, sense of humor, and fight for life. I was going to bring him a chocolate candy bar due to his sweet tooth the next time I saw him but I wasn't able to to see him in the hospital. Laurie will always be remembered fondly and missed by yhose who's lives he touched.
That is a great picture of our darling man, and that beautiful obituary really reminded me of why I was always proud to call him 'friend ' We are holding you in our hearts, brave girl, secure in the knowledge that your faith will sustain you, just as Laurie's faith and spirituality are sustaining him now, in his transition to new adventures!
Prayers for Laurie as he starts his new adventure in spirit and prayers for Celeste, friends and all family for comfort and peace.❤️
Seeing Laurie smiling & shining with Love & Light. I will miss his physical presence while knowing his Spirit remains gently focused on all of us who grieve his passing. We will miss him so much!
I'm thinking of you and Laurie and love you both.
It was Pleasure to meet Lauri and to hear from Celeste about their wonderful travels. He was a wonderful person too blessings to his family.
What a wonderful life he had and he gave so much of himself for others. I loved listening to his stories and adventures. He is leaving a big hole in your life Celeste but may the memories of your life together bring you peace and comfort. Sending you hugs. Cindy
Always in my heart❤️
Dear Celeste. Please accept my sympathy. I am sorry that your love of life Laurie leave this world. Everything went so fast and completely shocked all of us. I am sending you my positive energy and prayers in this difficult time of your life. He was a wonderful husband and grandfather, I hope that the memories of your great traveling adventures and day to day life sharing with him will bring you a comfort and peace. I am here for you if you need anything , please let me know. Love, Anjelika
Dearest Celeste,
Don and I are deeply sadden to not have Laurie still with us. His nature was such that his spirit must be strong. Laurie certainly had many kind and adventurous attributes that you and most will miss.
Know that many care about you and your future and want you to caring on with what you enjoy most. Laurie’s spirit will always be by your side.
With Love,
Leslie and Don
Laurie was a wonderful person and a joy to spend time with. He liked to have fun and made sure that others around him did, too. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. ❤️
So sorry for your loss. Laurie was a great person and I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity to know him.
Farwell kind Sir. My next time in Lily Dale I will seek a message.
Celeste, my deepest condolences on the passing of such a wonderful man. While we now live in Virginia, my wife and I were blessed to be neighbors of Laurie and Celeste for several years in their Gainesville neighborhood. Laurie was always a happy, gregarious person, and we enjoyed many conversations about politics, Laurie and Celeste’s many travel adventures, happenings in the neighborhood, and many other topics. We are so very sorry for your loss, Celeste, and we miss Laurie, you, and our old neighborhood. May you be granted strength and perseverance to get through this time. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
My prayers go out for you, Celeste. While Laurie went on to his next adventure without you, he will always live in your heart wherever you are. Peace be with you.
May the peace that passes all understanding be yours at this sacred time, dear one, dear Celeste.
Lauri's playful optimism always lifted me, regardless of what was happening.
His steadfast faith shone like a beacon, blessing all who knew him,often lighting the path for those in need.
What an amazing soul. I am so blessed to have been on the planet at the same time. I know his spirit is here with me in this eternal moment.
Laurie was a great guy with a lot of heart. He was very kind and generous to me. I reconnected with him at my brother Richard‘s memorial. Laurie was so welcoming and later he and Celeste came to visit me in New York. He was kind enough to bring me some personal items that belonged to my brother, a book and a beautiful stone that had been on his altar. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to spend time with him and Celeste. Rest in peace dear Laurie. You are much missed.