Charles E. “Charlie” Lawton, of Provincetown, formerly a Rhode Island educator and Provincetown real estate agent, died Monday, July 2nd at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. He was 72. His partner of 35 years, Leo J. Houle Jr., died in 2003.
Born in Central Falls, R.I. he was the son of the late Lloyd W. and Eglantine (Fournier) Lawton. A graduate of Central Falls High School, he received both his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Rhode Island College. He did additional graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island. He was a Vietnam era US Army veteran.
Mr. Lawton was an English teacher at Lincoln [R.I.] Junior-Senior High School for 28 years, serving as English Department chair for 20 years. He was also an adjunct professor of English and secondary education, as well as assistant professor of secondary education at Rhode Island College. While teaching at the college, he developed the Early Enrollment Program and served as its director. He was a visiting English lecturer at the Community College of Rhode Island, and a senior English lecturer and senior writing consultant at Northeastern University.
Mr. Lawton was involved with numerous Rhode Island professional, educational and civic organizations before he and his partner retired to Provincetown in 1994.
In Provincetown, Charlie became an active member of St Peter the Apostle Parish. He served as a Eucharistic Minister to the home-bound and Seashore Point communities, a Lector at Mass and a member of the Parish Council. The Diocese of Fall River recognized his service to the parish in 2010 by awarding him the Marian Medal. He was also a member of the Walter Welsh Council Knights of Columbus and a supporter of the Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter in Provincetown.
Although retired, Mr. Lawton still found time to work as a Realtor, becoming associated with the Provincetown Realty Group and later, J. D. Bower Realty Associates.
Mr. Lawton leaves his nephew, Michael Lawton, and his niece, Deborah “Debi” Lawton, both of Pawtucket, and his grandnieces, Katie Pawluch and Elissa Pawluch Roth. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas F. Lawton.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown between 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, July 9th. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at St Peter the Apostle Church, Prince Street, Provincetown.
Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 11 Prince St, Provincetown MA 02657 or the VNA Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 434 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660.