John Edward Lawlor Jr.

LAWLOR John E. Lawlor, Jr., of Jacksonville, peacefully passed away at home on March 15, 2017. He was born on March 17, 1918 (St. Patrick's Day) in Chicago where he grew up and was educated in Catholic elementary and high schools. During World War II, as a Lieutenant in the 8th Air Force, he completed 35 combat missions piloting B-17 heavy bombers over Germany. After the war, he married Agnes Marie Bauer (Peggy) and accepted a position in sales with Colgate-Palmolive. He and Peggy had three children while living in Chicago and moved to Jacksonville in 1956 where John continued with Colgate-Palmolive as Regional Sales Manager until his retirement in 1979. Peggy lost a battle with cancer in 1971, but John was lucky in love a second time, meeting and marrying Frances Marie LaBarbera in 1978. John was a devoted husband and father and very active in his church community, including both Assumption and St. Joseph's parishes. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, head usher, member of the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree) and in the Men's Club. John also served as President of the Jacksonville Columbian Federal Credit Union. John is survived by his wife, Frances; three children, Patricia Thompson (Tommy), John Lawlor and Dr. James Lawlor (Jenny); eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; his sister, Rosemary Swift, and her family; and numerous, wonderful caregivers. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 19 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 20 in St. Joseph's Main Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32258, followed immediately by a reception in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Joni Lawlor Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Nemours Fund for Children's Health and Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257.