Brian Joseph Lawlor , of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, January 6th, 2019 at Genesis Springfield in Springfield Vermont

Brian was born on October 1st, 1952 in New Haven, Connecticut the son of the late Mary Jane (Hogan) and James Francis Lawlor.

Brian grew up in the Westville section of New Haven, CT.  He attended local schools, graduating from Milford Academy in 19 70.

A child of the sixties, Brian traveled near and far.  He backpacked through Europe and India. He traveled many times across the country in a VW bus going wherever the road took him.

A lover of music, he attended Woodstock festival and Summer Jam at Watkins Glen. He attended many concerts over the years including the infamous Doors concert in New Haven CT. The last concert was Paul McCartney at Fenway park, with his wife.

In 1978, Brian returned to New Haven and went to work for the New Haven Railroad.  He worked for 34 years as a conductor, union representative (local 1473), union organizer and was part of the CSX labor management team. Brian believed strongly in the collective bargaining process and the protection of all workers in one of the most dangerous occupations in the world.

In 1980, Brian married Lisa Wallace.  They lived in Connecticut where their daughter Jessa was born and moved to Woodstock, Vermont in 1988.

In 1991, twins Joe and Ed joined the family.  When Brian learned that all three children had significant disabilities, he did everything he could to learn the best way to participate fully in their lives. After retiring at age 58, Brian enjoyed golfing , skiing, photograhy and traveling. He was mildly obsessed with the New England teams, especially the Red Auerbach era of the Boston Celtics and his beloved Red Sox. A fierce defender of people with disabilities, he spent two years on the VT Developmental Disabilities Council , v olunteered for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport and the Autism Society of Vermont.

All his life he had a love of golden retrievers. His first was Lady and his last Clancy.

Brian leaves behind his wife, Lisa, children Jessa, Jos eph a nd Ed ward, sisters Kath leen (Chris topher ) Branca of (Shelton, CT) and Maryellen (George) Richitelli of (Palm Beach Gardens, FL), mother-in-law, Priscilla (Pat) Wallace of (Newington, CT), sister-in-law Sherry (Robert) Spring of (Newington, CT)and brothers-in-law Scott (Christine) Wallace of (Ridgefield, CT) and Craig (Marjorie) Wallace of (New Britain, CT), ten nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.  And of course, his partner in crime, Ed Kerwin.

Services will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 3:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Chapel, 7 Church Street Woodstock VT.

A memorial service for Brian will be held in Connecticut in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian's memory to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport, P.O. Box 139 Killington VT 05751 or online at www.vermontadaptive.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT. An online guestbook can be found at cabotfh.com