Lt. Col. Edward Lawler Obituary (1923 - 2017)

Harpswell Lt. Col. Edward W. Lawler, 93, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017, after a short illness. Born in New Haven, CT on May 26, 1923, Ed was the son of the late Daniel and Marguerite (Postelle) Lawler. Ed honorably served his country in the United States Navy during WWII in all three theatres of war. Following his discharge, he completed his education at New Havens Hill House High School Class of 1943 and attained his Bachelors degree in architectural landscaping in 1950 from the Utah State Agriculture College. After graduating from college, Ed joined in the United States Army where he proudly served his country for 22 years. As a highly decorated career officer and combat engineer, Ed participated in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. During the Vietnam war, Ed designed and helped build many roads and airfields in Southeast Asia that still exist today. Eds memories of his experiences in the Navy and Army were recorded for the Library of Congress. Eds Navy career is documented in the United States Navy Memorial. Ed married Helen Marie McDonough, an Army nurse, in 1951, in El Paso, Texas where they were both stationed at the time. Together, they shared 36 years of marriage, and raised six children while living in France, Germany, and the United States. Helen passed away in 1987. Following her death, Ed married Linda Virginia May in 1988, and they shared 29 years of marriage in Harpswell, Maine. Linda and Ed loved to travel. They made yearly pilgrimages to Patrol Craft Sailor reunions around the country. They were loyal patrons of the Maine State Music theater, and they were active members in St Johns parish in Brunswick. Their favorite pastime was raising their beloved dogs, Erin and Shannon. Ed was a lifelong learner and attained his Masters in Education Degree from the University of Maine at Gorham in 1976, in pursuit of his goal to become a school teacher as a second career. Throughout his 24 years of teaching Ed taught at Portland Regional Vocational Technical Center where he was instrumental in bringing technology into the classroom. As a teacher he took great interest in helping students help themselves up by the bootstraps. Not by coincidence, enlistment into the armed services increased significantly during his tenure. Never one to sit idle, Ed remained active in community and veteran organizations. He took pride in being a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus under the auspices of Council 1947 and was a faithful participant in the Patrol Craft Sailors Association. In his free time, Ed enjoyed fishing, traveling, hunting snow shoe rabbits with his friends, and spending summers on China Lake. He loved people and people loved him. His family and friends will remember him for his tremendous sense of adventure, and his fearlessness. Ed was a very giving and generous person. Above all else, Ed had a deep love for his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He always noted how he was a rich man because of wealth of love in his family. In addition to his parents and wife, Helen, Ed was predeceased by his sister, Marie Merrill. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Lawler of Harpswell; daughters, Deborah Lawler of Portland, Susan Sullivan and husband Michael of Westport Island, Dr. Helen Soule and husband Russell of Portland, Marguerite Lawler and husband Robert Rohner of Portland and Eileen Worthley and husband Douglas of Portland; son, Edward Lawler and wife Vivian of East Windsor, NJ; Ed adored his grandchildren, Maura and husband Matt, Joseph and wife Amy, Daniel and wife Rachel, Marguerite, Hannah, Rachel, Leah and husband Steve, Lillian, Genevieve, Aidan and William. Ed delighted in his great-grandsons, James, Luke, Ryan, Ronan and Joshua. Ed also had great affection for Lindas children and grandchildren. Randy Carver and wife Marsali of Legrange, Jeff Carver of Buxton, Michael Carver of Limerick, Greg Carver and wife Lori of Gray, and grandchildren, Randy, Brianna, Mackenzie, and particularly Jonathan. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, April 6 from 4-7PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 7 at 10AM at Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street, Portland. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Knights of Columbus Council 1947, 103 Harpswell Rd., Suite 104, Brunswick, Maine 04011