Obituary of LAWLESS– Patrick

March 13, 1932 – February 1, 2011 “How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!” It is with deep sadness that we say “till we meet again” to Pat, our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Pat was the oldest of five children, all born in Calgary to Joe and Doris Lawless. He began his career in the oil industry at the age of sixteen, working on the rigs for Lindley Drilling Company. In those early years, Pat sent most of his earnings home to his parents so they could build the family home which stands today. After thirteen years in his beloved ‘patch’, Pat had gained the knowledge and expertise to open Northern Power Tongs in Ft. St. John. The business thrived and after ten successful years, he sold the company and returned to Calgary where he held many different positions. He retired in 1999 from sales and public relations with Lory Oilfield Rentals. Although Pat retired from his job, he certainly did not retire from an active life. He volunteered in the grade two class at Percy Pegler School in Okotoks two mornings a week, where most of the students and teachers came to know him as “Grandpa Pat”. He was a member of Citizens on Patrol, worked part-time as a guard at the RCMP detachment in Okotoks and then, deciding he wanted to try something else, accepted a part-time fun position as a Wal-Mart greeter. These situations were all excellent outlets for his social nature and wonderful sense of humour. In retirement, his greatest joys were spending time with his grandchildren and romping in the park with our pet pooch, Herbie. Eventually Pat’s arthritic ailments grounded him. He was in pain and had limited mobility for the last few years of his life. He recovered from a serious brain injury in 2008, but eventually succumbed to cancer. Pat is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-five years, Evelyn; his children and stepchildren, Rick Lawless (daughters Savanna and Jocelyn and their mother Jo-Anne); Cathy Lawless (daughter Meagan); Donna Cadieux (son Christopher and Christopher’s son Pierce) Debbie Herring (husband Don and their children Kim (Danny Bradley) and Paul); and our ‘Maritime daughter’ Michelle Johnson (daughter Caleigh). Pat also leaves to mourn his siblings, Joe (Nedra) Lawless, Dena (Wilf) Levere and Laura Lawless; sisters-in-law, Susan Campbell and Catharine Ramsey; nieces, nephews, good friends; and his loyal pet and constant companion, Herbie. Pat was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Doris Lawless, and his brother Ashley. It was Pat’s wish that there be no funeral or memorial service. Evelyn asks that those whose lives he touched, take a moment to reflect on their memories of Pat, remembering him each in your own special way. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Pat can be made to the Foothills Country Hospice, www.countryhospice.org. A special thank you for the caring and compassionate care Pat received from the staff at the Foothills Country Hospice, Okotoks, AB., to Dr. McCracken who has been a support for several years, to Dr. Spice and his staff with the Palliative Medical Team in Okotoks and to the Home Care staff in the Okotoks community. In living memory of Patrick Lawless, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.