Obituary for James E. Lawless
James E. Lawless, 70 (AKA Little Man, AKA Uncle Jim) of Coventry, CT passed peacefully into eternal rest at home on April 30, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Jim is survived by his wife and one and only true love, Joni, 3 daughters Erin, Cara and Bridget, sons-in-law Travis and Patrick, 3 sweet granddaughters Summer, Delia and Marley, two brothers John and Ted and Ted’s wife Jan, mother-in-law Wanda and his “soul sister” Sandy. In addition to his immediate family, Jim is survived by many incredible extended family members and numerous close friends. He is predeceased by his loving parents Edward and Eileen Lawless, and his best friend and brother-in-law Sam Wilde. We have no doubt that Jim and Sam are together again eating a cheddar wurst and having a good laugh by the campfire.
To know Jim was to love him and there’s a pretty good chance that he loved you right back. His thoughtful insight and quick witted humor quickly won anyone over. He was proud of the work that he did for nonprofit group homes in human resources, but his pride and joy was his family: his forty six year marriage to his “lover for eternity” Joni, and his three daughters and their families. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a dedicated friend, and an enthusiast of science and the natural world. Jim was a fun loving man with a zest for life, enjoying camping, hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, golfing and cross country skiing any chance he could get, as well as spending time on the beaches of Cape Cod. He had a way with words, was a talented writer, and had a deep passion for music.
Jim and his family will forever be indebted to his anonymous organ donor and their family, as well as the lung transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital, for giving him more time with his loved ones after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, one lifetime is just not enough with a man who was small in stature but larger than life and he is already so missed.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday May 6th from 3pm to 6pm at Coventry Pietras Funeral Home located at 2665 Boston Turnpike, Coventry, CT 06238, followed by a Celebration of Life service. A funeral service will be held on May 7th at 11am at St. Maurice church located at 32 Hebron Rd. Bolton, CT 06043. Following the services, the family requests that you raise a glass of red wine to Jim. As Jim says, “red wine is good for the heart” and, as he remains in your hearts, he will enjoy it with you. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made in his name to New England Donor Services or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
To know Jim was to love him and there’s a pretty good chance that he loved you right back. His thoughtful insight and quick witted humor quickly won anyone over. He was proud of the work that he did for nonprofit group homes in human resources, but his pride and joy was his family: his forty six year marriage to his “lover for eternity” Joni, and his three daughters and their families. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a dedicated friend, and an enthusiast of science and the natural world. Jim was a fun loving man with a zest for life, enjoying camping, hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, golfing and cross country skiing any chance he could get, as well as spending time on the beaches of Cape Cod. He had a way with words, was a talented writer, and had a deep passion for music.
Jim and his family will forever be indebted to his anonymous organ donor and their family, as well as the lung transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital, for giving him more time with his loved ones after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, one lifetime is just not enough with a man who was small in stature but larger than life and he is already so missed.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday May 6th from 3pm to 6pm at Coventry Pietras Funeral Home located at 2665 Boston Turnpike, Coventry, CT 06238, followed by a Celebration of Life service. A funeral service will be held on May 7th at 11am at St. Maurice church located at 32 Hebron Rd. Bolton, CT 06043. Following the services, the family requests that you raise a glass of red wine to Jim. As Jim says, “red wine is good for the heart” and, as he remains in your hearts, he will enjoy it with you. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made in his name to New England Donor Services or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.