Thomas J. Lawler

Wednesday, April 13, 1927
Date of Death:
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Age:
84 years old
Thomas J. Lawler
Thomas J. Lawler, 84, of Rochester died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester where he had resided for the past several weeks.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2012, at his childhood parish of St. Francis in Rochester, with Fr. Paul Nelson officiating; Rev. Dale Tupper and Rev. Mark McNea will co-officiate. Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Eyota. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25th in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.
Tom was born April 13, 1927, on his family farm in Haverhill Township to Bill and Eva Lawler. On May 28, 1949, he married Mary Bridget Healy at Holy Redeemer Church in Eyota. The couple farmed until 1963 and then moved to Rochester.
After moving to Rochester, Tom drove truck for Fernstrom and Witte until starting his own family business, Lawler Transfer.
Tom is survived by his wife, Mary B; 7 children, Tom (Joyce) of Denver, CO, Matt (Terri) of Rochester, Jim (Tami) of Rochester, Mary Kay (Steve) O’Neill of Schaumburg, IL, Kevin (Barbara ‘Jo’) of St. Paul, Ann Marie (Todd) Young of St. Paul, and Theresa Lawler of Eagan; 18 grandchildren, Lori, Katie, Dan, Brian, Mark, Mike, Adam, Alissa, Tim, Shannon, Matt, Brian, Will, Amy, Molly, Shannon, and Kevin; and 7 great grandchildren Justin, Cora, Audrey, Colin, Claire, Finley, and MacAlister; brother, Bob Lawler of Rochester, sisters, Mary Louise McCarthy of DesMoines, IA, Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman, and sister-in-law, Margaret Lawler both of Eyota; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Terry Joseph, a granddaughter, Bridget Therese, a brother, Dick Lawler, brother-in-laws, Gene McCarthy, Ran Bowman, Jim Cierzan and Francis Healy, and sister-in-laws, Pat Lawler and Sue Healy.
Tom was long-time member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. He really enjoyed his family, laughing with his grandchildren, drives in the country, farming, going to breakfast and chatting with good friends, and anything John Deere!
Memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice, 1811 Greenview Place SW, Suite 110, Rochester, MN 55902.
Condolences
The family of Thomas J. Lawler has received the following condolences.
Dear Mary B & Family,
We've had a lot of grieving this year, but we are a strong family, and we are so lucky to have had these wonderful souls in our lives. I'm sure they're all enjoying each other in heaven, having a typical Lawler time. I'm grateful for the time that we had them, but a loss is a loss, and I'm very sorry about yours. I'm sorry I was not able to make the funeral. You have all my love and prayers
Lawler Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
may time heal the loss you are feeling now and the many memories live on in your hearts
always. John, Melanie, Eddie, Jay and Tony Kasner
Dear Mrs. Lawler, Annie, and family.
Please accept my condolences with the passing of Tom (husband, father, grandfather) to eternity.
How fortunate that he had so many years--and so many who loved him and whom he loved.
My sister (Mary Gorman Cahill) always spoke well of your family. It seems like many years now that we were all undergraduates togeher, Annie. I serve in Japan now--going on six years. I am a monk of Saint John's and its daughter house in Japan, but I am chaplain at a Trappistine Monastery.
May your family rejoice in good memories of Tom. May he rest in peace.
(Fr.) Tony Gorman
Annie and Family, I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. He was a kind man with a smile on his face at at all times. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Jim, Tami, and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your dad/grandfather's passing. I'll be thinking of you and remember you in my prayers.
Carol
Theresa,
I am sorry to hear about your father. He was a great man. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Tina
To the Lawler Family,
My deepest condolences to each of you~
Tom was such a light and a gift to all around him. I enjoyed all of his stories, especially the ones with him and his trusty pony! I know how much he loved life, his family & friends and being an independant fellow! I was amazed to witness the love and support his family provided him any opportunity they could, which was truely amazing! I enjoyed his friendship. I am so happy I got the chance to know Tom Lawler.
God Bless,
Jen McLaughlin
So sorry to hear about Tom. I so enjoyed visiting with him back in my early days at S&S when I'd
see him in the warehouse. I used to just laugh when he'd yell at Tom and Jim for one thing or another.
I know that he will be greatly missed and wanted to let you know that I was thinking of the family.
God Bless!!!
Annie,
I'm so sorry about your Dad. I wish I'd had a chance to meet him but he sounds like a wonderful person.
Alice Dickinson
Kay, Steve, and familly
We were so sorry to hear about your Dad. We wish we could be there with you during this difficult time. You and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. We love you all!
Wayne & Sue Mendes
Dear Annie,
Our hearts are with you as you say farewell to your beloved dad. I know he will be listening to you sing from Heaven.
Kate Beckman and Family
Tom............Thanks for the memories. Through the years as a meatcutter (Just-rite foods and Hyvee) . it was great to see and talk with you each time you shopped. You'll be missed............THANKS again friend
To the family of Tomas J. Lawler
PLease accept my sincerest condolences in the death of my cousin Tom Lawler. It has been many years since I've visited with Tom. I remember all the times that I and my mother {Betty Conrad Jenkins] and your Aunt Liz[Elizabeth Baier Conrad] would visit the farm and Tom would be there too. When I was up that way in 2003, I believe, he was at Betty's house for a visit.
I have notified members of my family to let them know of Tom's passing.
With Love & prayers,
Your cousin [Miss] Victress Jenkins
2524 N 22nd Dr #39
Phoenix AZ 85009
Mary kay, Steve and Family,
We are sorry to hear about your Father passing away. We will be thinking about you and praying for the family during this difficult time.
God Bless
Mary Kay, Steve and Family,
So sorry to hear of your father's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Jan and Jeff Bates
Hell-o Mary: I just wanted to express my sympathy to you in the loss of Tom. I remember meeting him several times in the course of my years working with you at Peoples Coop. I know that with time, you will heal and your life will go on. I speak from experience, having lost my fiance just over two years ago, after having known him for ten years. Most of my family is still is around Rochester and I still come "home" semi regularly and have cause to go by the Coop now and then. I miss the place and always will, as I felt my working years there caused me to grow into the person I've become and I'm grateful for the time I had there working with wonderful people like you! Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Irene Jacob
Tom was a warm, friendly and gentle man. He always took time to say hello to me and took an interest in what I was doing and had to say. He reminded me of Maynard in so many ways. Just think those two are in Heaven having a beer and talking about all the good times they had together with their wives and families. My heart and prayers go out to each one of you at this time. May God be with you and your families.
Sincerely,
Marty & Nan Johnson
DEAR MARY & FAMILY,
SO SORRY TO READ OF TOM'S PASSING. I ENJOYED EACH AND EVERY TIME WE WOULD SEE EACH OTHER WHETHER AT THE PHARMACY, AT CHURCH OR AT A BALLGAME. HE WAS TRULY A JOY FOR ME TO BE AROUND.
YOU ARE ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE TOM MY GOOD FRIEND.
SINCERELY, GARY.
My condolences to the whole Lawler Family. Growing up next to Uncle Tom and Mary as a child was a great moment in my life. The world has lost a kind, loving, and special person. I have fond memories of several neighborhood kids and I performing air band cover songs in Tom's driveway and sneaking over to the house to get treats from Uncle Tom and Mary. I always wanted to hang out at their house, now that I look back, I might have been that annoying little kid like Denace the Menace and Uncle Tom was Mr. Wilson. I also remember Tom letting me ride along several times to go to his business, for what reason I needed to go I still don't know, but I'm sure I annoyed Tom long enough he gave in. There are people who impact your life to be a better person and Tom Lawler was that person, so I am honored and blessed to have Tom in my life for that small time in my life. Thank you to the Lawler family for sharing to the world a great human being, he will be missed.
Jeremy "JJ" Austin
I'm sorry to read about Tom's passing. My sympathies to the Lawler family.
Kay, Steve, and Family,
We are sorry to hear of your father's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
To Tom's family;
I never met a man so kind and smiley in all my years when Tom made deliveries to K mart north. He always
had a kind word for Orvil and me, and truly was a genuine, honest person. Later in years I would run into
Tom down town at Goodyear where he would be shooting the bull with the hands down there. He knew
everyone, and everyone knew him. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
Dear Mary B & Family:
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember Tom as having a great smile and easy laugh. I hope that it is a comfort to know that he is surrounded in heaven by many loving family members.
I am in Florida at this time, so am sorry that I won't be able to attend the visitation and funeral.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with Tom and all of you.
Love, Bill
Kay, Steve and all the Lawler family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this most difficult time. Please know our prayers are that you will feel God's strength and grace through this grief journey.
With deepest sympathy,
Make and Nancy Mazur
Jim, Tami, and Family,
We are sorry to hear of your loss. We send our sympathies during this time and hope you and your family can find comfort in the memories you have of Tom.
Jim, Tami and family,
So sorry to hear about Tom's death. We hope you will be comforted by great memories and the fact that he is now at peace. Please know that we are thinking of you.
Love Bill and Cheri Weller
Our sympathy to you Mary and family. I will always remember the twinkle in Tom's eye. They were neighbors at one time and just great friends. I am sure you will miss him dearly.
Sorry we are still in Florida, but would have liked to been able to attend the funeral. Please know we are thinking of all of you in this time of sorrow.
God Bless,
Pork and Lil Bartholomew
Mary Kay-- I am so sorry about the loss of your dad. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.
Yesterday when I learned that Tom had passed away, I was reminded of the Father-Daughter dances at Saint Ben's when Ann and Mary were house mates.
I am sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Louise Gorman
Mary Kay,
My heartfelt sympathy and condolences to you and Steve. There is nothing like the love of a parent and you will always miss Thomas. But hpefully you will find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of him and in knowing that he is Heaven and that God is with you in your loss. Thinking of you often, missing you, and you are in my prayers.
With love,
Doris
Our deepest sympathies to Mary Kay & Steve, their family, and the entire Lawler family. We pray God will tightly wrap his arms around you and give you peace and comfort. You are in our hearts with love and support at this most difficult time.
With love,
Debbie & Bob Orlando
Huntley, IL
My sincere condolences to Mary Kay and her family. I feel as if I know all of you and want you to know that I along with her friends and co-workers share in your loss and think of you often.
Love you Kay.
Pat
Dear Lawler Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Tom's death. I have such wonderful memories of coming to stay at your house when Annie and I were in college. My parents really enjoyed getting to know Tom also. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love, Bob and Mary (Gorman) Cahill