DR. DAVID JOSEPH LAWLESS

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DR. DAVID JOSEPH LAWLESS June 1, 1932 - April 22, 2015 Dr. David Joseph Lawless peacefully went to be with the Lord on April 22, 2015, in Calgary. He was born and raised in Victoria, the fifth of six children of John and Constance Lawless. David graduated from St. Louis College in Victoria in 1949 where he was particularly interested in drama and theatre. David met his beloved wife Maria Pilar Ruiz Campuzano from Spain while studying in Vancouver. Shortly afterwards, they married in 1958 and began raising a family. As well as being devoted to his family, he dedicated most of his professional life to post-secondary education, particularly the promotion and enhancement of Catholic post-secondary education in Canada. Throughout David's extensive life and journeys he also lived, studied, and worked in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Madrid, Spain, Antigonish, NS, and finally in Calgary. Through his wife Maria Pilar and her family, he developed a close bond and love for Spain, living there at times as well as visiting and vacationing with family. In his extensive career with colleges and universities in Canada from 1963 onward, David held the following academic and administrative positions: Professor of Psychology, University of Manitoba (UofM); Dean of St. John's College, UofM; Associate Dean of Arts, UofM; Dean of Continuing Education, UofM; Vice President (Academic) UofM; Rector of St. Paul's College, UofM; President of St. Francis Xavier University; and lastly President of St. Mary's University, Calgary until his retirement in 1999. Throughout his many world travels and work he was associated with numerous organizations that promoted world development and education, particularly the IDRC (now CIDA) and the Coady International Institute. David travelled extensively as part of his academic career and met with presidents, prime ministers and popes. He was especially fortunate to have twice had an audience with St. John Paul II, and also meet with St. Teresa of Calcutta. David was also an accomplished writer, and amongst the numerous academic papers he published he wrote two psychology text books. In his final years he also became a passionate writer of fiction, and one of his award winning short stories is now being adapted for the stage in New York. He was predeceased by his loving wife Maria Pilar in 2010. David is survived by his six children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Velma and brother Brian in Victoria. David also leaves behind numerous extended family and friends throughout Canada and Spain. A Memorial Service will be held in the "Father Michael J. McGivney Hall" at St. Mary's University on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11:30 a.m., with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until mass time. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with David's family through www.evanjstrong.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. David J. Lawless Scholarship at St. Mary's University, Calgary, Alberta (website: www.stmu.ca). Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES. (403) 265-1199

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2015