WINDHAM- Our Dad, James Francis Lawler, Sr., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 22nd from long term and age-related illness.
Dad was an amazing person who always put his family first and always provided for whatever we needed. He was a devout Catholic (being an alter boy when he was around 12 years old), and strongly felt a Catholic education was best for us.
Growing up, his childhood was hard and not what a young boy would hope for, but he persevered and grew into a caring, fun-loving, adventurous young man. One story he loved to tell was when he and a friend rode their bikes off from the Portland Pier into the water!
He was a mechanic in the Air Force, and then became a meat cutter for BD Sterns in Portland. Later, Dad studied to become one of the first Paramedics for MEDCU in Portland, Maine. He loved being a paramedic, helping and caring for the health of the people of Portland. Dad and his late wife, Patricia Lawler, owned and operated The Character Shoppe in the Old Port, featuring Disney items.
Dad was a member of the PTA at St. Joseph’s School in Portland. He was an incredible pizza maker and when there was a lunch auction at school, his pizza slices always brought top dollar. He loved to cook and his Italian meatballs were a hit at any party or gathering.
He was creative and a handyman who found solutions to many problems that arose around the house.
Dad was also an incredibly generous person. Once when we were smaller, he and Mom packed us up in the car along with Italian sandwiches to feed a group of homeless folks in downtown Portland, teaching us the importance of charity.
Dad loved to have fun. He had a motorcycle that he rode to work and played an electric guitar (well, he tried)! He made a skating rink in our yard where all the kids would come and hang out in the winter. He made a tire swing out of a giant truck tire for us and the neighborhood kids to play on. He loved animals and we always had dogs and/or bunnies for pets.
Dad was also a hero. We had a house fire many years ago, and he was able to get all of us and our pets out of the house safely.
Dad truly loved his grandchildren, Nick and Leah.
We will miss him so much but are grateful to God that he is no more pain.
Dad was pre-deceased by wife Patricia Welsch Lawler. He is survived by his second wife, Gretchen Shepherd, daughter, Laurie Lawler Pelynio, daughter Deborah A.P. Holbrook and her husband Todd S. Holbrook, son James Francis Lawler, Jr. and his wife Brenda Rines Lawler, and grandchildren Nicholas James Lawler, Leah Rose Lawler,
A Celebration of Life for Dad will be planned for Spring, 2024.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com