Derek McDonald Lawlor, 42, of Mystic died after a long battle with cancer on August 8. He was born July 3, 1964 to Diane Johnson of Mystic and the late Daniel Lawlor of Norwalk. Derek is survived by his stepfather Robert Johnson, his brothers, Danny and wife Laura of Advance, North Carolina; Darren and wife Shelby of Carlsbad, California; his sisters, Dawn Brown of Norwich; Dana and husband Michael Planeta of Ledyard. He is also survived by stepsisters Kristen Panse and Erica Pray of Mystic and David Johnson of Preston and Mark Johnson and their families.
He leaves his nieces, Mallory and Hannah Brown, Abigail, Emma, Eliza Lawlor and Bianca Planeta; his nephews Daniel and Parker Lawlor. He also leaves behind many cousins, aunts and special friends.
Derek grew up in New Canaan and graduated from Stonington High School in 1983. He earned his Associates Degree in Landscape Architecture from State University of New York at Cobleskill in 1987. At 20, he rode his bicycle across the U.S. He had a gift for gardening, masonry and landscape design. He valued family, friends and nature. He had a desire to live and learn and touched the lives of many with his optimism, encouragement, strength and love for life.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Friday from 12:30-1:30pm. A Funeral Service will be conducted at Union Baptist Church, Mystic on Friday at 2pm. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, 555 Long Wharf Drive, Dept. W, New Haven CT 06511.
To send his family a message of remembrance/condolence, please click the link below.