Checking out at Weaver’s Way a few minutes ago, I was shocked and saddened to see a notice saying that Laurence Sigmond had died earlier this week. I had just seen a few days ago on Facebook that he had been in the hospital but was home convalescing.
Those of you us who worked with Neighborhood Networks in Germantown know Laurence as one of our stalwart members, especially around election time. Ever since our first electoral action, on the Ethics Reform Charter Change about four years ago, Laurence’s home has been a dropping off point for literature and a gathering place for activists.
Laurence was a friend and supporter of mine ever since I got involved in community activism and politics. He called me now and again with advice and encouragement, with policy ideas and suggestions about technology. He recommended my work to other people and told me who I could turn to for help in one or another campaign. In a world in which people pay attention only to the immediate issue before them, Laurence kept track of the good things people had done in the past and the good things we needed to do in the future. He was generous with time, with money and, something we have too little of in politics, praise and support.
On his Facebook page, Laurence says that his political views are “Moderate (but everyone else seems to be to my right). This captures Laurence so well. He was a moderate, gentle man with a commitment to social activism that put him squarely on the left.
I will miss him very much.
There is a memorial service for Laurence this Sunday at the Meeting House at Germantown Friends SchooI at 2:00 pm.