Theodore Lawyer Obituary

LAWYER
Theodore, 75, passed away April 5th, 2013 at his home in San Francisco, CA after a brief hospitalization for pneumonia.
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Ted was the son of Frank and Dorothy Lawyer. He graduated from East Rutherford High School, New Jersey, in 1955. He was an avid supporter of his two younger brothers, Allan and Charlie, in their high school sports.
Ted served two years in the Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. After pursuing studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Northwestern University, Ted moved West to San Francisco where he resided until his death. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature at San Francisco State University.
Ted became a buyer for Macy's California and in that capacity traveled internationally. In 1980 he joined his life partner, John H. Hershey, in Hershey Multimedia, Inc., producing media for corporate clients. For the 27 years that followed, Ted was the true backbone of the design and production firm as associate producer, creative director, business manager, scriptwriter, and inventive keeper of the company's public image.
Ted is survived by his brothers Frank and Allen, sisters-in-law Candy Lawyer and Dee Lawyer, and pre-deceased by his sister Ethel Turkington, brother Charlie, brother-in-law Austin Turkington, and sister-in-law Jean Lawyer. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Surviving Ted is his partner in work and life, John Hershey, whom Ted supported in all aspects of their life together.
Ted was an immensely talented man. He could build a darkroom, wire a house, create a beautiful garden of native CA plants, discuss philosophy, analyze politics, and make the world's best Coq au Vin. But he was a modest man and did not gladly accept well-deserved compliments.
Together Ted and John enjoyed many years of skiing at Tahoe, attending the San Francisco Symphony, and traveling to visit close friends in the South of France. He will be missed by a large extended family of friends.
At Ted's request, his ashes will be scattered privately along the Northern California Coast. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 2, 2013, at the home he and John shared in Bodega Bay.
Donations in Ted's name can be made to his favorite charities: Food for Thought (the Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank) in Forestville CA, and PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) in San Francisco, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Record/Herald News on Apr. 28, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Theodore Lawyer

4 Entries

John Hershey

May 2, 2013

My partner Ted was so multi-faceted in interests and skills that I did not include them all when I wrote his memorial. I should have mentioned he loved animals, especially cats, and we had four of them who each lived a full long life with us, over our 36 years together. He was extremely modest, and said of our 27 years together in our own Multimedia firm, that, simply, "I am Words and John is Pictures." He was an avid SF Giants fan, ecstatically celebrating their World Series Victories. He was an amazing supporter of the long distance charity bicycle rides I did over six years and hosted training ride events in our home in Bodega Bay. In the later years, we traveled to Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Florence, and the island of Funchal Portugal on a transatlantic cruise. We had a full and exciting life together. I miss him deeply.

Barbara Shanahan Hansen

April 29, 2013

I remember Ted from long ago. He was my brother Bob Shanahan's best friend in high school and further until they lost touch. When I saw that he was into building dark rooms it brought back the time that he and my brother built one in the basement of our family home. My brother was into photography and we all, including other friends, had a great time working on developing the pictures he took. Ted was a great guy and friend and he will always be remembered with fond memories of times gone past. My wish is that he has met up to discuss old times with my brother who passed away 3 years ago. It was so nice to read of his accomplishments and what a wonderful life he led. My condolences to all who were touched by his love and life.

April 29, 2013

The world is a little less bright with Uncle Ted gone, but you are forever in our hearts.
Love,
Marcy, Scott, Jolan, Bennett & Kyle

Karen Cooper

April 28, 2013

I was always happy to visit with Ted. He was interested in many topics and had much to add to a conversation. I will miss seeing him with John.

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