James Ignatius Lawler

James Ignatius Lawler, age 81, died on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of 52 years of Lorraine (Blain) Lawler. Loving father of Noelle S. Lawler and her spouse Jordina Shanks of Milton.
Cherished grandfather of Sergio, Marissa, and Aaron and great grandfather of Jaylin, Kylie, Kaiden, Cameron, Cole, and Bria. Brother-in-law of Claudette and Frederick Hauck of Trumbull, CT. Uncle of Edmond, Warren, Nik, Erik, and Alexander.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey on February 7, 1934, he was the son of the late James and Virginia (Griffith) Lawler. He was raised in Saddle River, New Jersey and graduated from Ramsey High School with the class of 1951. As an avid athlete, Jim played baseball, football, and ran track during his high school career. After graduation, he continued his education at Panzer College in New Jersey and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1955. He went on to earn his Master's Degree from Montclair State University in Arts with a major in Physical Education. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army after graduation. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1957, Jim took a position with the Cedar Grove Public School System as a Physical Education Teacher.

He met the love of his life, Lorraine Blain, and they were married on November 17, 1963. Together, they made their home in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and welcomed their daughter Noelle.

Jim's love for athletics continued during his teaching career and he spent countless hours coaching football, golf, soccer and tennis for Cedar Grove Public Schools and soccer and softball for the Ho-Ho-Kus recreation league. Summers were spent as Director of the Crestwood Lake and Parks program in Allendale, NJ. He retired from teaching in 1995 with 40 years of dedicated service to his students.

After his retirement, Jim and his wife Lorraine moved to Weymouth, Massachusetts, before settling in Canton. Not one to sit at home, he kept very active working as a substitute teacher and volunteering his time as an official for middle and high school sports programs. In addition, he was a member of the Weymouth Club, where he loved keeping fit.

In his spare time, Jim loved karaoke, playing his guitar, dancing and most of all spending time with his family.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jim's Memorial Mass that will be celebrated at the Paulist Center, 5 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108 on April 10th at 6 pm. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Atrius Health Foundation, 275 Grove Street, Suite 3-300, Newton, MA 02466 or online at Justgive.org or the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton, 233 Warren Ave, Brockton, MA Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.