George overcame an abusive childhood in Manchester CT to
become a self-made man.  After high school, a friend’s family
took him in and he worked in a shoe store. 

One of his high school teachers enteredthe store and was shocked
to see one of her top students.  She told him he should be in college,
which hadn’t occurred to him.  Subsequently,
 he moved in with a beloved aunt and her husband who had
no children of their own. George worked nights at Pratt and Whitney
and took dayvclasses at UConn. 

In order to finance his college studies, he joined
R.O.T.C. While attending Army R.O.T.C. exercises,
he noticed that the Air Force cadets were not required to crawl
in the dirt so he started attending the Air Force classes.
When the officer in charge noticed he had an extra student, br /> he asked to speak to George.  Impressed with the explanation
and initiative, the officer completed the paperwork
required and so, George’s United States Air Force career began. 

He earned his B.A degree in 1956 and was commissioned
into the USAF as a 2^nd LT.

He married Frances Britton, his high school sweetheart, in 1954. 
His career required the family to move 12 times in 11 years. 

His specialty was Helicopter Pilot. 
During the early days of the Viet Nam War, he was first stationed
in Thailand.  He was expected to return home after that tour of duty,
but instead was ordered directly to Viet Nam where he flew
helicopter rescue missions.  He was away from home for 18 months,
which was a great hardship for his wife who was left with the
responsibility for six children. 

When George was given orders to return to Viet Nam,
he realized that for the sake of his family, it was time to
resign his commission. 

In 1966, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

Subsequently, the family moved to Farmington, CT. 

George worked days as a Contract Administrator for Hamilton Standard.
At night, for 5 years, he studied for his JD degree from
the UConn School of Law.

Eventually he opened a private practice, Lawler and Associates in Cromwell, CT.  His son, George Lawler, Jr. still owns the practice.

George served on the Farmington Zoning Board of Appeals for many years.  He was a past president of the Farmington Republican Town Committee, a member of The Exchange Club, and chairman of the Heart Association for many years.

George and his wife, Frances intended to retire to Florida, but Frances became incapacitated with COPD.  He took loving care of her for years
and only moved to Vero Beach after her death. They were married
for fifty-two years.

In Vero Beach, he married Viola Hogan.  They continued to visit the
beach house in RI until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease
a few years after their marriage.  Once again, he took devoted care
of his wife until her death. They were married for seven years.

He then met Nita Roscoe who became his life partner. She introduced
him to the world of cruise ships.  For the first time, he was free to
travel. They spent six happy years cruising and traveling to
destinations all over the world.

He loved to play poker, a game he picked up in the military. 

He played for many years at the V.F.W. in Plainville, CT.  

Here in Vero, he played for hours with his “poker buddies”
at the Woodfield Clubhouse. 

Ever optimistic, he recently asked one of his daughters to make sure
he had money in his wallet for his next game – even though
he was bed-ridden.

GGeorge enjoyed excellent health for 88 years.  It was a shock to
the entire family when he was diagnosed with stage 4 renal disease
this past January.  Nita’s devoted care allowed him to remain at home
until his death.  She administered the dialysis every night so he
would not have to spend hours at the dialysis center.

The family is extremely grateful to Nita for her care.

The family is also grateful to the wonderful staff at DaVita Dialysis.

In the Irish tradition, George entertained family and friends with
stories of his past and present.  He never forgot a detail. 
He never complained about the circumstances of his life,
but somehow turned fortune and misfortune into great tales.   
We will miss his wit and humor. 
Family gatherings will never be the same.

George was a communicant and member of the choir at
St. John of the Cross. 

His wish was to be cremated and buried next to his wife Frances.

Internment arrangements have not been made
because of COVID restrictions, but at a later date,
he will be buried in Riverside Cemetery in Farmington, CT.