Born in Philadelphia on January 21, 1944, John Lawless, Sr. was raised in Germantown and graduated from North Catholic High School. John joined the United States Navy after high school and proudly served during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, he joined the Roofers Union - Local 30. Through the years, John's life was filled with love and support from his family and friends. It was that love that helped and comforted him as he battled to survive over the past few months. On September 4, 2016, he was called home. He is survived by many, including his mother, Catherine (nee Granozio) and his father, the late John, wife Patricia (Meade), his five children, Kimberly Pascal (Lou), Denise Hume (Dean), John Jr., Brian (Jessica), Bruce (Melanie); 14 grandchildren, Bobby, Heather, Ashlyn, John III, Michael, Alicia, Lindsay, Bruce Jr., Cailyn, Breanne, Alex, Gianna, Colin, Brooklyn and five great grandchildren, Gianna, Angelia, Jayla, Avery, Jaicee; his brother Bruce Lawless (Kathy), Aunt Geraldine "Gerri" Schumacher, Uncle Alex "Slim" Granozio and cousin, Sheila Roos - and many more.
His larger than life personality has etched a smile in the hearts of all who knew and loved him and his memory will carry on eternally. Please join our family as we not only bid a final farewell, but celebrate John's life on Friday, September 9th from 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM at Burns Funeral Home: 9708 Frankford Ave Phila., PA 19114 followed by his Service at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675