A Community Pillar

Lawrence J. Davidson, Sr., a longtime Connecticut business and civic leader who led the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) for 14 years beginning in the late ‘70s, died last week. He is credited for helping to grow the state colleges into its current university system.

CSUS Chancellor David G. Carter described Davidson as “a pillar of our community whose contributions were significant, whose passion for Connecticut was authentic and whose legacy is enduring.”

Davidson, who lived most of his life in New Britain, was the former chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the D & L stores and the Weathervane stores from 1953 to 1999. He also served on the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, New Britain and Greater Hartford Chambers of Commerce, Board of Police Commissioners and City Planning Commission for New Britain, Connecticut Business & Industry Association, and as a member of the Republican State Central Committee.