John A. Lawlor, 85, of North Dartmouth, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2016 following a period of declining health. He was the husband of Dolores (Goudreau) Lawlor.
Mr. Lawlor (known to friends and family as "Jack") was born in Oak Bluffs, MA, on January 26, 1931, son of the late John D. and Ruth (Melody) Lawlor. He graduated from Taunton High School in 1948 and received his BS degree from Brown University in 1952. He was drafted and served in the US Army from 1953 - 1955. Shortly after his discharge, he married Dolores Goudreau at St. Jacques Church in Taunton, on April 14, 1956. Mr. Lawlor worked as an electrical engineer for New England Telephone in Boston, and went to night school and earned an MBA from Northeastern University. Shortly thereafter, N.E. Telephone sent him to Bell Labs in New Jersey, where he worked for two years on the development of telephone innovations, including the Telstar Satellite project. IN 1968, Mr. Lawlor egan working for ITT in New York City. He traveled extensively, spending time all over Europe, most often in Brussels; in South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo and Santiago; and the Caribbean. Mr. Lawlor Left ITT (and New York) in 1975, happily returning to Massachusetts and settling in Sharon. He worked as an independent professional engineer (P.E.) and continued to travel for his work, spending time in Nigeria, Indonesia, Lebanon, and South Korea. Upon semi-retirement in 1999 Mr. Lawlor moved to North Dartmouth with his Wife. Together, they traveled, visiting family throughout the United States and made trips as well to Scandinavia, St. Petersburg, Russia and even pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
A devoted husband and father who felt his greatest accomplishment was his family, nothing made Jack happier than informal cocktails parties with his wife and visiting family members. He was a avid reader of history, biographies, mysteries and the newspaper. Jack was also a life-long fan of the Boston Red Sox and was elated at their World Series win in 2004.
John Lawlor will be remembered for his discerning, curious mind his quick wit, and his devotion to technology. He loved gadgets of all kinds, from the slide rule to the first calculators, to home computers wireless telephones, VCRs and smartphones.
In addition to his devoted and loving wife, John is survived by his four daughters, Dianne Logan of Dartmouth, Patricia Simon of Middleboro, Jean Lawlor of Casper, WY and Margaret Mahoney of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; six grandchildren, Heidi, Christopher and Caleb Woofenden and William, John and Grace Mahoney; a great-granddaughter, Amber Woofenden; and his brother, William Lawlor, of Clear Lake, IA.
A funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2016, from the Potter Funeral Home, 81 Reed Rd., Westport, MA at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian urial at St George Church, Westport, at a10:00 a.m.
Calling hours will be Friday, October 21 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, New Bedford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George Church ,12 Highland Ave., Westport, MA 02790.