REV. RONALD'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
Rev. Ronald C. Lawson was a seventh generation Vermonter born December 21, 1934 in Montpelier, VT. He died on August 22, 2018. Ron was the second child of former Fire Chief Sidney Freeman Lawson, Sr. and his wife Ruth Ella Russell of Montpelier.
He attended school locally, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1952. He went on to earn his AB degree in Russian from Middlebury College. Upon graduation in 1956 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This led to an interesting period in his life while serving with Army Intelligence. His first assignment was the Pentagon. He later completed a dual language course in Germany and Polish while assigned to a language school in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Ron fell in love with Oberammergau and the surrounding area. He spent his free time hiking or skiing the Alps.
While living in Oberammergau he formed life-long friendships with many residents and although raised a Methodist, he felt a strong call to Catholicism. Oberammergau is the site of the world famous Passion Play. A year later he was baptized at nearby Ettal Monastery and confirmed a Roman Catholic.
He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. He witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall and often served as a Russian interpreter for official functions. Ron resigned from the Army in 1961 to begin priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, MA. Maria Von Trapp was a spiritual mentor and guided him in his developing religious life. She arranged a sabbatical for him back in Bavaria. He assisted at a local parish while working for a hospital in Preen. Ron continued his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, PQ. He quickly brushed up his high school French. On May 5, 1970, Ron was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier. Father Ron as he was now known, returned to Canada and for over a decade acted as Chaplain for St. Thomas High School in Pointe Claire, Quebec. In 1984 Father Ron was recalled to serve as a chaplain in the US Army. After stateside assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Benning, Georgia he returned to Germany. He served as a Chaplain in Stuttgart before time back in West Berlin. He witnesses the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Father Ron served in Desert Storm during 1991. He often slept in a tent in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Father Ron completed his military service as a US Army Captain after serving as Hospital Chaplain in Heidelberg, Germany.
At the age of 58, Father Ron spent the next decade with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chaplain. During this period Father Ron completed his Master’s degree at Boston College and became an addiction Therapist. Later he served as Associate Director for the VA National Headquarters in Hampton, VA.
Father Ron retired from US government service in 2002. He spent several years as Senior Priest-in-Residence in Winchester and Chelmsford, MA parishes. A parishioner, Richard Rotelli, wrote a biography of Father Ron called “Let there be light”. As his health declined Father Ron retired to his native Vermont. On Fridays he enjoyed visiting the farmers market in Hardwick and sharing a pizza with his two brothers. His older brother Milan died in 2017. Father Ron is survived by his younger brother, Sidney, Jr. of Montpelier and his sister in law Corinne Kelly Lawson and her son Daniel also of Montpelier. Father Ron enjoyed his many cousins and often celebrated outside mass at Nelson Pond. He had a life-long interest in his background and belonged to several genealogical organizations. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Father Ron relished in the good cheer and fellowship of his many friends. He was proud of Armed Forces and all veterans. Father Ron had a deep faith.
Rev. Lawson will lie in State at St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, from 10-11:00 am., Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the family lot in Waterbury Center Cemetery.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com
Let Me Be a Light: The Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson
Father Ron Lawson
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
I have such wonderful memories of my dear friend Father Ron. I always went to Father Ron for advice about my three sons. I especially was stressed out with my younger son Dennis who has ADHD. One Saturday evening my family attended church. Father Ron was sprinkling Holy water around the congregation, when he came up to my family "Dennis" was sitting next to the aisle and Father Ron sprinkled several times Holy water on him. The whole congregation started to laugh. This is something I will never forget. It is still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday it happened. I spoke to Father Ron on the phone and I told him I will never for get it. He also remembers it. :) He was a special angel on earth and now he is with God and Jesus and a special angel in heaven. I will miss receiving his Christmas cards every year. :( Until we meet again my dear friend.....
U.S. Veteran
Rev. Ronald C. Lawson was a seventh generation Vermonter born December 21, 1934 in Montpelier, VT. He died on August 22, 2018. Ron was the second child of former Fire Chief Sidney Freeman Lawson, Sr. and his wife Ruth Ella Russell of Montpelier.
He attended school locally, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1952. He went on to earn his AB degree in Russian from Middlebury College. Upon graduation in 1956 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This led to an interesting period in his life while serving with Army Intelligence. His first assignment was the Pentagon. He later completed a dual language course in Germany and Polish while assigned to a language school in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Ron fell in love with Oberammergau and the surrounding area. He spent his free time hiking or skiing the Alps.
While living in Oberammergau he formed life-long friendships with many residents and although raised a Methodist, he felt a strong call to Catholicism. Oberammergau is the site of the world famous Passion Play. A year later he was baptized at nearby Ettal Monastery and confirmed a Roman Catholic.
He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. He witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall and often served as a Russian interpreter for official functions. Ron resigned from the Army in 1961 to begin priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, MA. Maria Von Trapp was a spiritual mentor and guided him in his developing religious life. She arranged a sabbatical for him back in Bavaria. He assisted at a local parish while working for a hospital in Preen. Ron continued his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, PQ. He quickly brushed up his high school French. On May 5, 1970, Ron was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier. Father Ron as he was now known, returned to Canada and for over a decade acted as Chaplain for St. Thomas High School in Pointe Claire, Quebec. In 1984 Father Ron was recalled to serve as a chaplain in the US Army. After stateside assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Benning, Georgia he returned to Germany. He served as a Chaplain in Stuttgart before time back in West Berlin. He witnesses the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Father Ron served in Desert Storm during 1991. He often slept in a tent in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Father Ron completed his military service as a US Army Captain after serving as Hospital Chaplain in Heidelberg, Germany.
At the age of 58, Father Ron spent the next decade with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chaplain. During this period Father Ron completed his Master’s degree at Boston College and became an addiction Therapist. Later he served as Associate Director for the VA National Headquarters in Hampton, VA.
Father Ron retired from US government service in 2002. He spent several years as Senior Priest-in-Residence in Winchester and Chelmsford, MA parishes. A parishioner, Richard Rotelli, wrote a biography of Father Ron called “Let there be light”. As his health declined Father Ron retired to his native Vermont. On Fridays he enjoyed visiting the farmers market in Hardwick and sharing a pizza with his two brothers. His older brother Milan died in 2017. Father Ron is survived by his younger brother, Sidney, Jr. of Montpelier and his sister in law Corinne Kelly Lawson and her son Daniel also of Montpelier. Father Ron enjoyed his many cousins and often celebrated outside mass at Nelson Pond. He had a life-long interest in his background and belonged to several genealogical organizations. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Father Ron relished in the good cheer and fellowship of his many friends. He was proud of Armed Forces and all veterans. Father Ron had a deep faith.
Rev. Lawson will lie in State at St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, from 10-11:00 am., Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the family lot in Waterbury Center Cemetery.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com
Let Me Be a Light: The Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson
Father Ron Lawson
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
I have such wonderful memories of my dear friend Father Ron. I always went to Father Ron for advice about my three sons. I especially was stressed out with my younger son Dennis who has ADHD. One Saturday evening my family attended church. Father Ron was sprinkling Holy water around the congregation, when he came up to my family "Dennis" was sitting next to the aisle and Father Ron sprinkled several times Holy water on him. The whole congregation started to laugh. This is something I will never forget. It is still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday it happened. I spoke to Father Ron on the phone and I told him I will never for get it. He also remembers it. :) He was a special angel on earth and now he is with God and Jesus and a special angel in heaven. I will miss receiving his Christmas cards every year. :( Until we meet again my dear friend.....
REV. RONALD'S OBITUARY
U.S. Veteran
Rev. Ronald C. Lawson was a seventh generation Vermonter born December 21, 1934 in Montpelier, VT. He died on August 22, 2018. Ron was the second child of former Fire Chief Sidney Freeman Lawson, Sr. and his wife Ruth Ella Russell of Montpelier.
He attended school locally, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1952. He went on to earn his AB degree in Russian from Middlebury College. Upon graduation in 1956 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This led to an interesting period in his life while serving with Army Intelligence. His first assignment was the Pentagon. He later completed a dual language course in Germany and Polish while assigned to a language school in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Ron fell in love with Oberammergau and the surrounding area. He spent his free time hiking or skiing the Alps.
While living in Oberammergau he formed life-long friendships with many residents and although raised a Methodist, he felt a strong call to Catholicism. Oberammergau is the site of the world famous Passion Play. A year later he was baptized at nearby Ettal Monastery and confirmed a Roman Catholic.
He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. He witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall and often served as a Russian interpreter for official functions. Ron resigned from the Army in 1961 to begin priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, MA. Maria Von Trapp was a spiritual mentor and guided him in his developing religious life. She arranged a sabbatical for him back in Bavaria. He assisted at a local parish while working for a hospital in Preen. Ron continued his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, PQ. He quickly brushed up his high school French. On May 5, 1970, Ron was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier. Father Ron as he was now known, returned to Canada and for over a decade acted as Chaplain for St. Thomas High School in Pointe Claire, Quebec. In 1984 Father Ron was recalled to serve as a chaplain in the US Army. After stateside assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Benning, Georgia he returned to Germany. He served as a Chaplain in Stuttgart before time back in West Berlin. He witnesses the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Father Ron served in Desert Storm during 1991. He often slept in a tent in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Father Ron completed his military service as a US Army Captain after serving as Hospital Chaplain in Heidelberg, Germany.
At the age of 58, Father Ron spent the next decade with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chaplain. During this period Father Ron completed his Master’s degree at Boston College and became an addiction Therapist. Later he served as Associate Director for the VA National Headquarters in Hampton, VA.
Father Ron retired from US government service in 2002. He spent several years as Senior Priest-in-Residence in Winchester and Chelmsford, MA parishes. A parishioner, Richard Rotelli, wrote a biography of Father Ron called “Let there be light”. As his health declined Father Ron retired to his native Vermont. On Fridays he enjoyed visiting the farmers market in Hardwick and sharing a pizza with his two brothers. His older brother Milan died in 2017. Father Ron is survived by his younger brother, Sidney, Jr. of Montpelier and his sister in law Corinne Kelly Lawson and her son Daniel also of Montpelier. Father Ron enjoyed his many cousins and often celebrated outside mass at Nelson Pond. He had a life-long interest in his background and belonged to several genealogical organizations. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Father Ron relished in the good cheer and fellowship of his many friends. He was proud of Armed Forces and all veterans. Father Ron had a deep faith.
Rev. Lawson will lie in State at St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, from 10-11:00 am., Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the family lot in Waterbury Center Cemetery.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com
Let Me Be a Light: The Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson
Father Ron Lawson
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
I have such wonderful memories of my dear friend Father Ron. I always went to Father Ron for advice about my three sons. I especially was stressed out with my younger son Dennis who has ADHD. One Saturday evening my family attended church. Father Ron was sprinkling Holy water around the congregation, when he came up to my family "Dennis" was sitting next to the aisle and Father Ron sprinkled several times Holy water on him. The whole congregation started to laugh. This is something I will never forget. It is still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday it happened. I spoke to Father Ron on the phone and I told him I will never for get it. He also remembers it. :) He was a special angel on earth and now he is with God and Jesus and a special angel in heaven. I will miss receiving his Christmas cards every year. :( Until we meet again my dear friend.....
U.S. Veteran
Rev. Ronald C. Lawson was a seventh generation Vermonter born December 21, 1934 in Montpelier, VT. He died on August 22, 2018. Ron was the second child of former Fire Chief Sidney Freeman Lawson, Sr. and his wife Ruth Ella Russell of Montpelier.
He attended school locally, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1952. He went on to earn his AB degree in Russian from Middlebury College. Upon graduation in 1956 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. This led to an interesting period in his life while serving with Army Intelligence. His first assignment was the Pentagon. He later completed a dual language course in Germany and Polish while assigned to a language school in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Ron fell in love with Oberammergau and the surrounding area. He spent his free time hiking or skiing the Alps.
While living in Oberammergau he formed life-long friendships with many residents and although raised a Methodist, he felt a strong call to Catholicism. Oberammergau is the site of the world famous Passion Play. A year later he was baptized at nearby Ettal Monastery and confirmed a Roman Catholic.
He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. He witnessed the building of the Berlin Wall and often served as a Russian interpreter for official functions. Ron resigned from the Army in 1961 to begin priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, MA. Maria Von Trapp was a spiritual mentor and guided him in his developing religious life. She arranged a sabbatical for him back in Bavaria. He assisted at a local parish while working for a hospital in Preen. Ron continued his studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal, PQ. He quickly brushed up his high school French. On May 5, 1970, Ron was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier. Father Ron as he was now known, returned to Canada and for over a decade acted as Chaplain for St. Thomas High School in Pointe Claire, Quebec. In 1984 Father Ron was recalled to serve as a chaplain in the US Army. After stateside assignments at Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Benning, Georgia he returned to Germany. He served as a Chaplain in Stuttgart before time back in West Berlin. He witnesses the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Father Ron served in Desert Storm during 1991. He often slept in a tent in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Father Ron completed his military service as a US Army Captain after serving as Hospital Chaplain in Heidelberg, Germany.
At the age of 58, Father Ron spent the next decade with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a chaplain. During this period Father Ron completed his Master’s degree at Boston College and became an addiction Therapist. Later he served as Associate Director for the VA National Headquarters in Hampton, VA.
Father Ron retired from US government service in 2002. He spent several years as Senior Priest-in-Residence in Winchester and Chelmsford, MA parishes. A parishioner, Richard Rotelli, wrote a biography of Father Ron called “Let there be light”. As his health declined Father Ron retired to his native Vermont. On Fridays he enjoyed visiting the farmers market in Hardwick and sharing a pizza with his two brothers. His older brother Milan died in 2017. Father Ron is survived by his younger brother, Sidney, Jr. of Montpelier and his sister in law Corinne Kelly Lawson and her son Daniel also of Montpelier. Father Ron enjoyed his many cousins and often celebrated outside mass at Nelson Pond. He had a life-long interest in his background and belonged to several genealogical organizations. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. Father Ron relished in the good cheer and fellowship of his many friends. He was proud of Armed Forces and all veterans. Father Ron had a deep faith.
Rev. Lawson will lie in State at St. Augustine Church, 16 Barre Street, Montpelier, from 10-11:00 am., Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the family lot in Waterbury Center Cemetery.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com
Let Me Be a Light: The Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson
Father Ron Lawson
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so. Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”. On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the Army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary. His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down. His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain. He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoyed capturing his life story.
I have such wonderful memories of my dear friend Father Ron. I always went to Father Ron for advice about my three sons. I especially was stressed out with my younger son Dennis who has ADHD. One Saturday evening my family attended church. Father Ron was sprinkling Holy water around the congregation, when he came up to my family "Dennis" was sitting next to the aisle and Father Ron sprinkled several times Holy water on him. The whole congregation started to laugh. This is something I will never forget. It is still fresh in my memory, like it was yesterday it happened. I spoke to Father Ron on the phone and I told him I will never for get it. He also remembers it. :) He was a special angel on earth and now he is with God and Jesus and a special angel in heaven. I will miss receiving his Christmas cards every year. :( Until we meet again my dear friend.....
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
