Lawrence Edward Hancock, Janesville/Oconomowoc  (1961 - 2009)

February 26, 1961 - April 25, 2009
Lawrence Edward Hancock, 48, died suddenly Thursday, April 25, 2009, in Milwaukee. He was born in Evanston, IL, on Feb. 26, 1961, the third child of Earle and Dorothy Hancock. He attended elementary schools in Northbrook, IL, until the family moved to Janesville in 1970. He graduated from Parker High school in 1979. He attended UW Whitewater for one year, majoring in math, but taking many music courses, then transferred to UW Madison. He received his bachelor's degree in 1983 and continued to UW Graduate School. For several years, he was a popular Teaching Assistant in the UW math department. He was employed as a math specialist and calculus teacher in the Equal Opportunity Program at Marquette University, Milwaukee, until his death. In 1995 he married Mari Delacruz. They raised a foster child, Alexis, and adopted Randy and Isaiah.
He loved teaching and was devoted to his students. He loved music, especially jazz. He was a jazz musicologist, and for many years has had a weekly all-night jazz program on WORT radio in Madison. He performed on bass with the Barbaric Yawps and many other groups, as a singer-arranger with the vocal group Zazu, on the penny whistle with a Morris dancing group.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Mari; stepson, Randy Flowers; foster daughter, Alexis; sons, Randy and Isaiah; mother, Dorothy Hancock; sister, Carol (Joseph) Hancock; brother, Gene (Carrie) Hancock; and nieces, Emily and Jennifer Hancock.
A memorial service will be held at MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY AT THE CHAPEL OF THE HOLY FAMILY, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, on Thursday April 30, 2009, at 4 p.m. Another service will be held in JANESVILLE at CARGILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH on Friday May 8, 2009, at 11 a.m.