A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS: JACK LAWLER

"Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words." ? Thomas More, Utopia

Jack Lawler's life was filled with people who loved him. His more than six decades with Alice-Mary, his beloved wife, were filled with family, friends, and fun. A loving husband, an adoring father of daughter Maggi laid the foundation for one of the happiest and most enduring unions in recent memory.

Jack's progress through life was a mélange of interesting experiences, and locations. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1943, he was working in an accelerated program at Penn's Moore School of Engineering. Penn arranged the accelerated program for the class, which allowed them to graduate months ahead of schedule. Jack enlisted and was stationed in the Philippines. Later he was assigned to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur. In 1946, he "resigned" from the U.S. Army with the rank of Captain.

New Jersey Bell beckoned the new civilian as he began a 38-year career with the company that lasted until AT&T broke up….and he retired.

Jack was an active member of New Jersey Bell's Telephone Pioneers McCully Chapter 12, and served as the Regional Vice President. In the mid-'70's, he rode in Pasadena's New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade, sponsored by AT&T. His other interests were numerous: A ticket-holder for 50 years at the Philadelphia Orchestra, he was at home with both classical music and an aficionado of Gershwin, Porter, Mercer, Rodgers & Hart and the rest of those tuneful composers and lyricists who brightened the New York theatre scene during that fabulous musical era.

The University of Pennsylvania's beloved and scrappy basketball team was another of his interests, especially during the "Fran Dunfey era". Jack enrolled along with daughter Maggi at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. There, he was elected president of the student body and at graduation he was the recipient of the Michael Pearson Memorial Prize for Outstanding Painting that Utilizes Philadelphia Architecture for his masterful painting of the Manayunk Bridge. A lifelong artistic "doodler", he added another canvass to his portfolio of interests. He maintained a studio in Manyunk for 10 years, where he continued to paint. A frequent reader at Philadelphia's annual Rosenbach Museum outdoor celebration of James Joyce's "Bloomsday", he and nephew Ed Lawler gave the assembled a rousing, and sometimes bawdy, medley of songs and humor.

Active in Penn's Alumni, Jack chaired the Class of 1943's 50th Reunion and afterwards was elected Class President. Thereafter he carried the Class Flag in 10 graduation ceremonies. During the Olympic Torch Run in 1984 he carried the Torch across the bridge from Trenton, N.J. to Morrisville, Pa.

* * * * * * * * * * * ** I do not care very much what men say of me, provided that God approves of me. — A Letter to Erasmus, 1532.




Death Notice:


JOHN A."JACK" LAWLER, JR.,  MARCH 12, 2014- of Philadelphia, formerly of Yardley, PA and Longport, NJ. Beloved husband of Alice-Mary Lawler (nee Rooney). Devoted father of Maggi Lawler Kirk (Jonathan). Dear brother of the late Edward D. Lawler. Funeral Mass Monday March 17, 10 AM at St. Patrick Church, 20th & Locust Sts., Philadelphia, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation at the Church from 9 to 9:45 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the School of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in memory of Jack Lawler, Attn: Development Dept., 128 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.