Born to Arthur Lawlor and Mary Kealy from Stratford on Slaney, Co Wicklow on November 3rd, 1921, Arthur had two brothers, Chris and Bill, and a sister, Margaret. He was educated at Rockwell College and UCD, where he studied engineering. While there he met Sheila O'Toole, whom he married in 1949. They were married for 55 years and have seven daughters.
Working for the Electricity Supply Board, Arthur was responsible for the rural electrification scheme for the Louth-Drogheda region. He designed the "convector heater", the first of its kind. In 1978 he travelled as a consultant with the ESB to Saudi Arabia to build a generating station in Al Baha Ghamid country. Arthur loved this work as he was always an outdoor person. During his 18 months there he built a swimming pool, and managed to make a garden. He returned to Ireland in 1980 and worked as area sales manager for the ESB for Dublin South until his retirement.
Arthur was a highly intelligent man with an analytical mind; he was an excellent mathematician and could turn his skills to any given task. He was most content when working with his hands. In the late 1960s he single-handedly build a home in his native Stratford. There was nothing he could not fix and was a great man to have nearby when a car would not start.
He loved nature and delighted in the new growth of spring. However, it was in the company of his extended family that he was most happy. He was the adored and adoring father of seven daughters and 12 grandchildren. On the arrival of each new grandchild he took on new life.
To them he was a Pied Piper. He delighted them with his stories and his drawings as he had his own children. He was full of fun and mischief, and generous to a fault.
Arthur is survived by his wife Sheila, and daughters Frances, Mary, Sheila, Una, Caitriona, Teresa and Clare.
He is sadly missed. He will always be our hero. Requiescat in pace.
T.L.