Obituary, Thomas Lawler

 

POUGHKEEPSIE – Thomas Lawler lost his battle with cancer and was called home to the Lord on March 10, 2016. Tom passed away at home and was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on March 14, 1936 in Tupper Lake, NY. He was the son of the late Edward Lawler & Gabrielle Beaudet Lawler. Tom is survived by his wife, Kathleen Shay Lawler whom he married at St. Joseph’s Church in New Paltz, NY in July 1972; his son Ryan and his wife Janice and their children Nathan and Aubrey of Poughkeepsie; and son Brendan and his wife Katharyn of Hyde Park. Tom has five siblings: his twin sister Anne Axtell, and brothers James, Peter, Michael, and Jeremiah; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

As a child, Tom lived in Glens Falls, NY and grew up in Plattsburgh, NY. He graduated from Plattsburgh High School where he lettered in three sports: basketball, baseball, and football, and then attended SUNY Plattsburgh.

Tom worked as a Correction Officer for the NYS Department of Corrections at Green Haven from 1968-1991. He volunteered at the Green Haven Credit Union and the Beekman Library. He enjoyed golfing, coaching youth soccer and baseball, collecting small hand tools, dabbling in woodworking, and listening to classical music and jazz. He was an avid reader, a history buff and always enjoyed a good dessert.

Family was Tom’s highest priority. As a father, Tom was actively engaged in his sons’ lives, coaching youth baseball and soccer for many years in the Town of LaGrange. In his later years, Papa was a constant presence in his grandchildren’s lives. He was always in the crowd, audience, or on the sidelines to encourage his children and grandchildren, and cheer them on in all their endeavors.

Tom had a calm presence and was full of wit and wisdom that never failed to delight family and friends. He was a gentle and kind soul who was eager to offer help to any individual or group in need.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6pm at  895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday at 10am at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville followed by interment in St. Charles Cemetery in Gardiner.

Tom and his family are grateful for the care he received through his physician Dr. Sarah Rutherford and the staff at Weill Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital in NY, and Hudson Valley Hospice. Memorial donations may be made to: Weill Cornell Medical Center: 1300 York Avenue, Box 314, New York, NY 10065 (www.med.cornell.edu) or Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation: 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (www.hvhospice.org).

Author: Harlem Valley News