Lawrence R. "Ronnie" Greenwood
Lawrence R. “Ronnie” Greenwood, a maintenance mechanic at Skidmore and, according
to many who knew him, “one of the nicest people ever to work at the College,” died
March 11, 2010, at his home in Corinth.
Born June 27, 1939, in South Glens Falls, Ronnie was the son of Lawrence Greenwood
and Ruth (Bush) Rooke. He attended Glens Falls High School.
Ronnie began working at Skidmore in 1985 and held the titles of custodian, housekeeper,
and groundsperson before becoming a maintenance mechanic in 1990, a position he held
until he retired in 2004.
Colleagues remembered him with deep affection. Joanne Dwornik, office and project
coordinator in Facilities Services, said, “Ronnie would have done anything for anyone.
He was such a good person.” In particular, Dwornik remembered Ronnie’s love for his
wife, Rosemary “Charlie” Greenwood, a retired member of Skidmore’s Housekeeping staff.
“He loved her completely,” Dwornik said. “She didn’t drive, so he drove her everywhere.
He never denied her a thing.”
Richard Rourke, a Skidmore electrician, also remembered the couple’s devotion. Said
Rourke, “He took her everywhere and did it happily—it was a sight to see them together.”
Ronnie was outgoing and friendly, as well as a “prankster,” according to Rourke, who
laughed while recalling the time they borrowed the new car that Joanne Dwornik’s sister
owned. “We decided to take a little ride and went to Stewart’s,” Rourke said. “We
deliberately took our time in returning and Joanne was pretty nervous. Ronnie managed
to get off easy, but she really yelled at me,” Rourke remembered.
Ronnie’s family—especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren—were his pride
and joy. He enjoyed annual trips to Atlantic City with Charlie and also enjoyed his
two cats, Buddy and Max.
He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Michael McGourty; a grandson, Bryan Cooper;
and a brother, Robert Greenwood.
Ronnie is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 26 years, Charlie, whom
he married in 1983. Other survivors include a daughter, Melanie (Philip) Cooper of
Corinth; a son, Mark (Kim) McGourty of Saratoga Springs; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren;
two sisters, Gloria Nadeau of Corinth and Margaret (Maurice) Wells of Comstock; one
brother, Gary (Rose) Farr of Corinth; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many
friends, especially Mike Tallman, whom he thought of as a son.