Joseph Thomas Lawlor

Joe Lawlor passed away peacefully on the morning of September 12, 2014, surrounded by family at his home in San Francisco. All who knew him, but none more than his loving wife of 55 years, Marilynn (nee Devereux), will miss his kind and gentle spirit, keen sense of humor, sharp intellect and loving generosity. Joe and Marilynn met in Chicago, at Resurrection Grammar School. They later became a couple during their high school years and married after college. They were blessed with six children -- Dr. Melinda Skrade (Phil), Colleen Lawlor, Margaret Lawlor (Thomas Lonzo), Mariellyn Lawlor, Joe Lawlor Jr. (Pauline Lui), and Dr. Michael Lawlor (Dr. Julie Tetzlaff). Joe was the proud grandfather of eleven -- Devin and Stephanie Skrade, Patrick and Madeleine Lonzo, William, Mary, and Emily Eckert, Lauren and Natalie Lawlor, and Joseph and Norah Lawlor.

Joe was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936, to Stephen and Mary Lawlor (nee O’Connor), and treasured his other siblings -- Jacquelyn (deceased), Ann (Ray) Reilly, Stephen (Barbara) Lawlor, Robert (Judy) Lawlor, and Rose (John) Jenks. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was a proud graduate of Fenwick High School, where he participated in track, boxing and football, going on to play football in college. He graduated from DePaul University Chicago and later achieved his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. Joe retired as the Assistant Regional Director of Appeals for the U.S. Western Region of the Internal Revenue Service. He greatly enjoyed his coworkers over his 39-year career which included postings in Chicago, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 10:00 AM, at Mary Queen of Heaven (426 N. West Ave), in Elmhurst, IL. Family and friends may visit at the church beginning at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Pius XI High School’s Scholarship Fund would be appreciated (135 N. 76th St, Milwaukee, WI 53213).