Lawrence John Watson Dennis

CARBONDALE - Lawrence John Watson Dennis, 95, died in hospice after a short illness on August 13, 2026, a day after his 66th wedding anniversary. He was born on October 4, 1930 to Lawrence B. Dennis and Gwendoline (Wheeler) Dennis in London, England.

Lawrence was an accomplished pianist, having studied at the Surrey College of Music and the Royal College of Music. On receipt of his Associate of the RCM, he joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to Canada for navigator training in 1952, where he had a weekly radio program and gave his first recital for the Canadian Broadcasting Company. Lawrence received his Licentiate in Piano Performance from McGill University and won the Lieutenant-Governor's medal for outstanding instrumentalist of the year. He returned to Canada in 1954 to take a position at McGill's Faculty of Music where he served until 1963, frequently performing for the CBC. He is a fellow of Trinity College of Music in London. In Montreal, Lawrence met Maureen Wark whom he married in 1960.

In 1965, Lawrence moved with his young family to Carbondale to study at Southern Illinois University's College of Education. He received his doctorate in 1968 and was offered a position at the College where he served until his retirement as Professor in 1996. During his tenure, he authored over fifty articles and several books. While at SIUC, Lawrence was extremely active in university affairs. He was President of the Faculty Senate for three terms, and he served on many committees. From 1989 until his retirement in 1996, he was Faculty and Staff Ombudsman.

Lawrence was also very active in the Carbondale community. He was Music Director for the Presbyterian Church from 1972 until his retirement and later played at the Unitarian Fellowship. He wrote opera reviews of the St. Louis Opera for Opera Canada from 1985 until 2015. He was most proud of his radio series, Mozart and his Music, that was carried by over 70 NPR stations.

Always an avid traveler, he took up cycling after retirement and enjoyed bike tours in Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Canada, and the US. He and Maureen also traveled a great deal together. For many years they returned to England twice each year, enjoying theatre and opera.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Maureen, and by their four sons, Jolyon (Kathy), Justin (Kim), Oliver (Deb), and Alban (Julie), as well as nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to WSIU, The Stage Company, WDBX, or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Lawrence, visit www.meredithfh.com.