Joseph Thomas Lawlor

Joseph T. Lawlor passed away on July 14, 2022 at 75 years of age. He was born July 23, 1946 in Cambridge, MA to Joseph D. Lawlor and Mary G. Lawlor (O'Neil) and grew up in Quincy, MA. He is survived by his wife Lois of 44 years. In his early years, Joe spent much of his time building model airplanes – something he enjoyed doing more than most anything, including playing with his "pesky little sister." His love of model airplanes was replaced by flying in actual planes at the age of 12 when he became a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol. That began Joe's lifelong love of flying where he became a certified commercial pilot of airplanes, seaplanes, gliders, and was an advanced aviation instructor, and aircraft mechanic, earning an Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance in 1977. Joe shared his love of flying and many piloting adventures with his best friend of 49 years Bob, whom he met when Joe was Captain of the Alexander Hamilton Field Artillery Battery, one of the oldest Artillery units in the United States.

Joe enlisted in the Army in September 1966 after graduation from Quincy High School. Enlisted service was brief, as he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant the following July. Joe remained in dutiful service for the next 30 years and retired a Lieutenant Colonel in October 1996. His Army career included two tours in Vietnam, paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, a variety of operations and field artillery assignments, and culminating as Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, 26th Infantry Division. Along the way, he accumulated a Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, four Meritorious Service Medals, and a variety of Commendation awards.

Adding to his degrees and awards, Joe earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics in 1994 from Bridgewater State University.
Following his military retirement, Joe worked as Airport Manager for Taunton Municipal Airport then as Director, Southeastern DMH Training Institute for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In June 2002, he found his way back to the military when he accepted a civil service appointment as Director, Readiness Division with Hanscom Air Force Base's Inspector General's Office. Joe's team received many accolades for their high-quality work, and he was awarded the Exemplary Civilian Service medal and Air Force Civilian Achievement medal for his individual work with the program. Joe retired from that position in January 2015, capping over 50 years of service to his country. In his retirement, he continued public service as a volunteer with the Town of Easton's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and developed a new pastime out on the water after he earned a Coast Guard boating license. He was a man of many hobbies, each as thoroughly researched as the next.

Joe was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. Family was the most important thing in his life, and he loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchild, sister, and close family friends – many of whom affectionally knew him as Grandpa Joe. He was a beloved member of the community and was known for his genuinely upbeat personality, warm smile, and a hearty and distinct laugh. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Jay and Erica, sister Monica and her spouse Michael, daughter-in-law Angela, grandson Nathaniel, niece Katt, and her husband Sean, nephews Curtis, and his wife Sue, and Mark, and close family friends whom he considered additional children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held in the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street, (Rt. 27) Stoughton, on Thursday, July 21st from 4-7PM. Interment will take place the following day, Friday, July 22nd at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 12:45PM. In lieu of flowers donations in Joe's memory may be made to Town of Easton's Community Emergency Response Team
c/o Jim Cremins, 4 Dolly's Way, North Easton, MA 02356.