Jean and Dan Proctor outside of Proctor Landscape and Mansonry supply on Electric Avenue in Lunenburg.

Photo & story by Samantha Bridgman

Dan Proctor is a busy man these days. The long-time resident and father of four is at the helm of three – count them, three businesses: William R. Proctor, Inc, Proctor Landscape and Masonry Supply and Ryan’s Rentals.

    William R Proctor, Inc. is the excavating business begun in 1956 by Proctor’s father William. Immediately after graduating from Lunenburg High in 1981, Proctor went to work full-time for his dad.

    “I graduated on a Saturday and went to work for my dad on Monday,” joked Proctor, grateful for the knowledge and experience gained from working with his father. Until his passing, Proctor’s older brother Bill was also a great educator when it came to learning the business from the bottom up. And learn he did.

    “There was never a question: of course I would take over the family business when the time came,” said Proctor.

    Dan eventually assumed full ownership of the family’s excavating business that had grown in 1991 to include Proctor Landscape and Masonry Supply. With a location on Route 13, it was a prime position to provide both hardscape and landscape materials to contractors and homeowners alike.

    The showroom’s floors are “paved”; the floor you walk on is laid with a variety of paving materials for customers to choose from for whatever their home project may be, from patios and firepits. The spacious storeroom is set up to highlight brands such as Cultured Stone and Ideal, and has a full-sized pond with a handful of koi swimming about. The outside showroom includes screened loam, bark mulch and crushed stone. Proctor offers both pickup and delivery options.  

    “People should know that my guys in the showroom can help them right over the phone. If someone is building, say, a 10’x10’ patio, they can get a stone price immediately,” said Proctor.

    In 2002 Proctor branched out to equipment rentals. Ryan’s Rentals, named for Proctor’s oldest son, allows homeowners to rent or purchase equipment like thatchers, small excavators, mowers, weed whackers and chain saws.

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