Obituary of Ralph Lawson

Ralph M. Lawson, an entrepreneur, restaurant manager, member of the US Olympic Bobsled Committee, and photographer passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday morning, November 7, 2009. The husband of the late Catherine “Cathy” (Skelton), he was 67 years old. Ralph was born in Buffalo, NY. He was raised and educated in New York. Ralph was a graduate of Paul Smith College which specialized in Culinary, Hotel, and Restaurant Hospitality. While attending college, he was a member of the Bobsled Team and just missed out on becoming a member of the US Olympic Bobsled Team. His knowledge and involvement in the sport eventually led to a position in the US Bobsled Olympic Committee. He went on to have a very successful career in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He was the a manager of a number of well-known restaurants in the Stouffers owned chain from 1963 – 1975, including the Top of the Sixes on 666 Madison Ave, in Manhattan, the Top of the Hub in Boston, and the Stouffers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. A long-time member of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, he served as its president from 1978 to 1980. Ralph then changed his career direction, co-owning three Burger Kings located in Burlington, Tewksbury, and Framingham for twenty years. He spent the last 14 years of his career as a Manager and Trainer for the Applebee’s restaurant chain. As successful and focused as Ralph was in the restaurant business, he also found time for his family and his many interests. He served in the New York National Guard. Ralph was a fan of both college and professional sports. A huge Patriots Fan as well as college football, he and his wife were fortunate to attend numerous Super Bowls together. He also frequently attended the college hockey “Frozen Four.” His interest in sports led him to become a collector of sports pins. In addition to sports, Ralph enjoyed Broadway musicals and the music of Bing Crosby, with both passions captured by his favorite movie, “White Christmas.” Ralph was a talented photographer. His artistic vision enabled him to eloquently capture such photographs of the Tall Ships, light houses, wildlife, and nature. Some of his photographs have been used commercially. Whatever Ralph pursued, he did it passionately and to the best of his ability. Ralph had a special relationship with his family. He was the loving husband of the late Catherine “Cathy” (Skelton) Lawson, with whom he shared his dreams and adventures from their married in May of 1964 until her death in 2001. He was the loving father of Sherri Baker, with whom and her husband Craig he had a wonderful relationship. Thoroughly enjoying the role, he was the proud and loving grandfather of Ross and Katherine “Katie” Baker of Burlington. Ralph was the son of Gertrude (Myers) Lawson of Williamsville, NY and the late James B. Lawson. The brother of Phyllis Wawro & her husband John of Richboro, PA and Thomas J. Lawson & his wife Susan of Williamsville, NY, he was also the uncle of Cara Innis, Andria Caplan, and Benjamin Wawro. Funeral Services will be held at the United Church of Christ, Congregational on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON, (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on from Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ralph’s name may be made to the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, 333 Mamaroneck Ave, #492, White Plains, NY 10605, www.carcinoid.org. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.uccburlington.org