On April 23, 2010, Philip R. Lawler passed away at his home in Naperville, IL with his family surrounding him.  Phil will be remembered as a great husband, father, respected educator, coach, and great communicator.  Phil was 60 years old.

            Philip Lawler was born on February 18, 1950 in Carroll, IA.  He graduated from Wall Lake High School in Wall Lake, IA in 1968.  Phil graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA in 1972. He later received his master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University.   While attending Buena Vista, Phil met his wife, Denise Mascari who also graduated from Buena Vista College.  They were married August 11, 1963.

            After college Phil taught in Iowa for three years.  In 1976 he joined Naperville School District 203 as a Physical Education instructor at Madison Junior High School.  In the 29 years Phil taught at Madison Junior High School, Phil went from being a “gym teacher” to a world renowned advocate of a fitness for life program that was developed and implemented at Madison.  This New Physical Education program was recognized as one of six model P.E. programs by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.  In USA Today 2002, Phil was selected as a member of the First Team All American teaching Team.  Uniquely, Phil was the first P. E. teacher ever selected on the USA Today First Team.

Phil’s “New P.E.” philosophy and hard work led to the beginning of the PE4Life organization.  He quickly established a PE4Life training institute at Madison Junior High School where he has since trained over 1700 educators, administrators, and community leaders from 42 states and 10 countries.  Phil’s passion for spreading the message of healthy kids, families, and community has reached over 2400 schools and has affected more than 2 million children.    Phil also worked as the Naperville District Coordinator of Physical Education from 1985 until 2003.  In this capacity, he and his great friend Paul Zientarski established the DuPage County Institute for physical education teachers that included speakers from throughout the country and had more than 2000 in attendance yearly.

Phil’s commitment to improving physical education never went unnoticed.  Phil was very pleased when the Naperville Junior High community of parents and students rated the new physical education curriculum the number one curriculum above all academic subjects.   Parents realized the program increased results in all academic areas and Naperville began to set the standard for physical education across the country.  Phil’s inspiration and dedication to physical education was equally matched by his love for baseball.

            Phil was an assistant head coach for over 30 years at Naperville Central High school under head coach Bill Seiple.  As best friends they had many winnings seasons, highlighted by their 2006 Illinois State Championship.  Phil was recognized for his achievements in baseball in 1999.  He was the first assistant high school baseball coach inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Hall of Fame.  In 2009 he was again recognized by the association by honoring him with the President’s award for his contributions to Illinois High School baseball.  On May 9, 2010, Phil Lawler’s number 29 was retired at Naperville Central‘s Varsity Field. 

 Phil’s life is summed up best by a fellow District 203 educator, “I know your spirit will live on in everyone who knows and loves you.  Your positive impact, like a ripple in a pond, on thousands of students, teachers, administrators, and unnamed others on this planet earth.”

            With all his passion for his work, his first passion and love was for his family.  Phil is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Denise Lawler and his children, Scott and Kim Lawler, Vince and Kim Marino, and Todd and Kathryn Lawler.  He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Pat and Sue Lawler, Dick and Jo Lynch, Maureen Lawler, Dan and Fern Lawler, and Jim and Trish Lawler.  Phil was also blessed with five grandchildren, Lucas Lawler, Alexa Lawler, Brady Marino, Hawke Lawler, and Tucker Lawler.

           

            Visitation for Philip Lawler will be on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM (Rosary at 7:00pm) at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 2220 Lisson Road, Naperville, IL 60565. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Naperville, IL Interment will follow at Naperville Cemetery, Naperville, IL.

Memorial contributions can be made to Naperville Central Booster Club for baseball. Arrangements were handled by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60540  Info: 630/355-0213 or www.friedrich-jones.com