Obituary of Kenneth J. Lawler

Kenneth J. Lawler, 85, of 30 Charles St Jamestown died at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday (December 22, 2009) in WCA Hospital. He was born February 21, 1924 in Buffalo, NY the son of the late Kenneth J. and Caroline Elizabeth Pfeiffer Lawler. Ken was a US Navy Veteran of WWII. Prior to retirement, he was employed at Jamestown Metal Corp, and earlier at Watson Mfg. He also tended bar at various clubs in the area. He was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church serving as an usher for 30 years. Ken was a member of Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion; Am Vets Post 726; Jamestown Vietnam Veterans of America, where he served as chaplain; Club Associates; and a life member of John W. Tiffany Post 53 VFW. Ken was known as "father" to everyone. He enjoyed being around people, especially his family and attending his grand children's sporting events. An avid Buffalo Bills fan, Buffalo Sabres fan, and Boston Red Sox fan, he used to play golf, bowl on several leagues, and play in horseshoe tournaments. Surviving are two daughters, Linda D. (Jack) Smith of Jamestown; Judy M. (Dean) Barmore of Ocala, FL; two sons, John K. (Diane) Lawler and Steve L. Lawler, both of Jamestown; 13 grandchildren, Dean Barmore Jr.; Lori Conti; Kathleen Mascaro; Penny Potter; Kathleen Rice; Ted Donovan; Julie Scott; Debbie Breneman; Shelly Myers; John Lawler; Doug Smith; Denise French; Debbie Smith; 15 great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol M. Larson Lawler whom he married September 1, 1962 and who died August 6, 1998; and a daughter, Sandy Hixson. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende will officiate. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Hearts Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3049 Syracuse, NY 13220-3049; or the Vietnam Veterans of America, 41 Bigelow Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701.