Deacon James P. Lawlor, 84, beloved Deacon of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Dover Plains and a 31-year resident of Wingdale, NY, and passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Born on January 24, 1933 in Valhalla, NY, he was the son of the late Frederick J. Lawlor and Pauline Turten Wald. On March 4, 1951 at Assumption Church in Peekskill, NY, he married Betty Lou Strang who survives at home.

On June 3, 2000 Deacon Lawlor was ordained to the Diaconate of the Archdiocese of New York at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and served as the deacon of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Dover Plains for 17 years. He preached for the propagation of faith. Deacon Lawlor served in leadership roles of the St. Charles Borromeo Church Breath of Life Prayer Group, the Common Ground Interdenominational Hymn Sing in Dover Plains and Wingdale and was a member of the St. Martin De Porres Church Prayer Group in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Deacon Lawlor was employed as a sales representative with Triple S Sporting Goods of Buffalo, NY and also owned and operated J & B Guns in Holmes, NY. He was a member of the Putnam County Fish and Game Association in Carmel, NY and the Patterson Rod and Gun Club in Patterson, NY.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by eleven children, James F. Lawlor, Jr. and his wife, JoAnn, of Brewster, NY; John P. Lawlor and his wife, Roberta, of Paupack, PA; William J. Lawlor and his wife, Joann, of Honesdale, PA; R. Michael Lawlor, and his wife Jackie, of Stormville, NY; Colleen Morehouse, and her husband, Alan, of Middletown, NY; Sharon Diaz and her husband, Fernando, of Fishkill, NY; Mary Bowen and her husband, Thomas, of Amenia, NY; Betty Rivadeniero, and her husband, Carlos, of Brewster, NY; Patricia Donovan, and her husband, Scott, of Wingdale, NY; Kathleen Sutter, and her husband, James of Defuniak Springs, FL and Tamara Davidyock, and her husband, Peter, of Murrells Inlet, SC. He is also survived by two sisters, Pauline Lokay of Emmaus, PA and Terri Koepp of Lebanon, NY; 39 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Deacon was predeceased by five brothers, four sisters and a grandson, Timothy J. Lawlor.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 62 Mill St., Dover Plains, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 15, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Dover Plains. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judge Place, Memphis, TN 38105.