Eugene ‘Butch’ Lawless
OBITUARY
Eugene “Butch ” Lawless, a West Scranton native, passed away Saturday evening surrounded by his loving family at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore, following an illness. He was 83 years old.
Butch is survived by his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Ann Marie (Angeli) Lawless. Wed on September 26, 1964, the couple were married for 61 amazing years.
Born in Scranton on September 27, 1942, and son of the late Eugene and Catherine (McDonald) Lawless, Butch was a graduate of the former St. Patrick’s High School.
Butch and Ann Marie would briefly move to Texas after Butch was drafted into the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. After honorably serving his country in Vietnam, he returned back to West Scranton where he and Ann Marie would begin raising their family. For over twenty years prior to his well-deserved retirement, he had worked at the Tobyhanna Army Depot.
To be forever remembered to countless ways, Butch was a longtime sports fan. Though he loved the N.Y. Giants and the N.Y. Yankees, his truest loyaltyand loudest cheerswere reserved for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His humor, engaging personality and selective filter were some of his best attributes. Truly, to know him was to love him.
The quintessential family man and epitome of an amazing husband, Butch adored his wife, children and grandchildren (“poppy”). His calmness, ability to take everything in stride, and the fact he never complained despite his health ailments were both admirable and impressive.
Butch certainly left a deep impact on others. As his legacy will long live on, his memory will live in the hearts of his loved ones.
Along with Ann Marie, he is also survived by his sons, Paul Lawless and wife Amy of Old Forge, and Brian Lawless and wife Jean Marie of Dunmore; his grandchildren, Stephanie Russo and husband Tony, Erin Major and husband Rich, Brianna Dougherty and husband Kyle, Cory Lawless, Maria Talarico, Vince Talarico and Hannah Shurtleff; four great grandchildren, Lily, Camilla, Brady and Vivienne; his siblings, Robert Lawless, James Lawless and Michael Lawless, all of Scranton, and Mary Ann Wiertel and husband Bob of Clarks Green; his brother-in-law, John Angeli of Old Forge; and nieces and nephews.
A brother, Patrick Lawless, also preceded him in death.
Butch’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the entire staff of Sacred Heart Hospice for the tremendous care given to both he and his family throughout his illness.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Saturday at 9:15 AM from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 1605 Oram Street, Scranton. Burial with military honors will follow in the Cathedral Cemetery.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday between 4-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in Butch’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit the funeral home’s website for direction or to leave a condolence.
Eugene ‘Butch’ Lawless
December 27, 2025