Jeff Lawrence

Jeffrey (Jeff) Albert Lawrence, 54, of Boston, Massachusetts died on December 9, 2025. The cause of death is still undetermined.

Jeff was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1971 to Joseph Lawrence and Edna Lawrence (Javorsky), and spent his childhood and adolescent years across Oregon, Massachusetts, and Germany. His first two years of high school were spent at Munich International School in Starnberg, Germany, followed by Shrewsbury High School in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1989. Jeff then attended and earned a degree in Philosophy at North Adams State College (now known as Mass College of Liberal Arts), before co-founding Shovel Magazine in 1999, later known as The Weekly Dig, then Dig Boston.

The Dig was Jeff’s life work and the product of his love for Boston’s alternative journalism scene. The paper gave him an outlet to create, inspire, elevate, critique, push boundaries, and occasionally write. It was also a major platform for stories and voices that were often overlooked by the city’s bigger media outlets. Writers, editors, artists, and activists all gathered around to share the warmth that the office on E. Berkeley Street provided. Jeff lived an unapologetically loud yet sincere life. He will be remembered as both a challenger and a champion of authentic, independent journalism in Boston. Outside of his professional career he had many hobbies and passions including his love for food and cooking, soccer and Boston sports, artwork, and just about any kind of music. Additionally, he was a longtime advocate for the cannabis legalization movement in Massachusetts, notably as co-founder of NECANN (New England Cannabis Convention), starting long before the issue gained any mainstream traction.

Jeff’s children, Braydon and Nina Lawrence, will continue to honor his spirit for the rest of their lives. He lives on through them, as well as his best friend and pet cat, Salem. His magic lives within everything he touched, cared for, and created.

Jeff was the proud father of Braydon Lawrence and Nina Lawrence of Abington; loving son of Edna Lawrence of Derry, NH, and Joseph Lawrence and step-mother Carol of Dennis; brother of Robyn Paulsen of Fairfield, CA, Steffany Maloney of Derry, NH, and Nikole Nolle of Shrewsbury; former husband of Michelle Lawrence and Bonney Snow. Family and friends are invited to greet Jeff's family at a Celebration of Life Memorial on Sunday 12/21/2025 from 11AM-2PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Jeff to Last Prisoner Project. See www.Keohane.com for directions and on line condolences.