Joseph Raymond Lawlor

In his 89^th year, at Wellington Terrace, Fergus, ON from long-term stroke damage and melanoma. Born to Canadian parents Joseph M. Lawlor and Elizabeth (MacDonald) Lawlor in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 19^th 1925, Ray accompanied his family back to Toronto, Canada in May 1928, where he grew up with siblings Patrick (Don), Frank, Edna, and James (Jim) all of whom predeceased him. After graduating from Central Technical School with a diploma in applied electricity in June 1943, he worked as a draftsman at Rogers Majestic for nine months until called up for military duty.

In January 1944, he registered for U.S. Selective Service and trained at Camp Hood, Texas before being sent overseas with Troop C, 107^th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squad (Tank Destroyers) where he took part in the final months of the war seeing action en route to Germany where he was present to witness the liberation of Dachau. His troop ship was heading from Marseille to the Pacific Theater when the war ended. He was thus one of the first troops to arrive back in New York in August 1945.

Upon his return to Toronto, his inventive and inquiring mind began exploring options for the future. He initially returned to the electrical field but developed a strong interest in theater, first in amateur groups and later as an enthusiastic student in Toronto and Europe where he studied mime in Paris and theater in England and Ireland. By combining his electrical skills and newfound interest in theater, in 1954 he found work at the Crest Theater in lighting and stage management. He began appearing in various television and movie roles, but his true passion was teaching and directing. To that end, in 1957 he founded the Chord Theater in Toronto and in 1959 Ray Lawlor’s Acting Studio. His experiments in the application of the Stanislavksi Method (method acting) resulted in three memorable productions of Juno and the Paycock, Desire Under the Elms, and Machinal. A number of his students found his creative teaching approach had a strong influence on their careers.

Through the 1960’s, he continued directing and in 1962 co-founded (with Sylvia Shawn) Canada’s first dinner theater, Theatre in the Dell. He then spent three years as Artistic Director at the Hamilton’s Players Guild, where he met his wife Geraldine Sibley. Following their marriage in May 1965, he and Gerry and his newly acquired sons Paul and Neil Sibley moved to Toronto, where he developed his considerable building skills renovating their house. He continued working in various theatrical and movie assignments, but Ray was a born seeker and gradually realized his true interests lay in spiritual studies. He began withdrawing from his theatrical career and took up the pursuit of enlightenment, a passion which would continue for the rest of his life. 

In 1972, the family moved north of Toronto to Adjala Township where he built their permanent home from scratch on twenty-five acres. Maintaining this property would be his “hobby” throughout the years while he read and studied widely in the spiritual field. Meanwhile, when son Neil developed leukemia in 1976, he returned to full-time work as an electrician, eventually re-joining the IBEW where he continued until his retirement in 1993.

In April 2009 a stroke left him paralyzed on his right side. This meant leaving his beloved home and going into care. The family wishes to thank all of those who have been involved in his care since that time, particularly the staff and nurses at Wellington Terrace in Oak Glen and Cedar Gorge. Joseph, as they knew him, was fortunate to have found such a welcoming place and such excellent care givers.

He is predeceased by his son Neil Sibley. He is survived by his wife Geraldine, son Paul Sibley (Valerie), grandchildren Ryan Sibley (Katey), Dana Zegers (David), and Kate Sibley (Kent Neale), and great grandchildren Abigail, Cameron, and Madelyn Sibley, and Leah and Natalie Zegers. He is also survived by brother-in-law Frank Peterson, and sisters-in-law Leslie and Elizabeth Lawlor.

Cremation has taken place.  A service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at a later date.  Honouring his love of Siamese cats and literature, memorial donations to your local S.P.C.A. or donation of a book to your local library in memory of Ray would be appreciated.  Arrangements by Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, Orangeville (519-941-2630).  Condolences for the family  may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com

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