Dr. Jack P. Lawson

Jack Philip Lawson, MB ChB Obituary
October 22, 1930 – November 19, 2025 (age 95) Jack Philip Lawson, MB ChB, Professor Emeritus of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on November 19, 2025 at his home in Woodbridge, Connecticut. He was 95 years old. Jack was a renowned international expert and leader in the field of bone radiology. He worked for over 30 years at Yale, serving as Vice Chairman of the Department of Radiology. The only child of Harris Lawson and Amelia (Samuels) Lawson, Jack was born on October 22, 1930, in Southport, England. He knew at a young age that he would become a doctor and received his medical degree from Manchester University in 1949. In 1959, he met Elaine Caplan in a chance encounter: she was riding in a car with Jack's cousin just as Jack was walking down the street reading a book. Elaine was impressed with his intellectual book selection – Orde Wingate (which he later called "the luckiest book that I ever read") – and they were married in 1960, beginning a joyful and loving 65-year partnership. In 1964, Jack was awarded a Fulbright grant to take a one-year fellowship in Pediatric Radiology in Cincinnati, then returned to the United States with his growing family in 1967, ultimately settling in the Woodbridge home where he would spend the rest of his life. Upon retiring from Yale in 2009, Jack continued his dual passions of learning and teaching, auditing classes at Yale, volunteering at the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and reading with schoolchildren in New Haven. With Elaine, Jack was actively involved with The Henry Koerner Center for Emeritus Faculty, their book and movie clubs, educational walking tours that took them across the globe, and spending time with his family and ever-expanding circle of friends. He had a positive and enthusiastic outlook on life, telling his family often that "You are looking at a happy man." He was a lifelong fan and partial owner (three shares) of Manchester United Football Club. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Elaine; his children Andrew (Melissa) Lawson, Diana (Daniel) Goldman, and Jennifer (Ronald) Ziegler; and grandchildren, Rachel (Griffin), Katie, Matthew (Bethany), Alexander (Josie), Lizzy, Emily, Hannah, and Fiona. He was the patriarch of a loving family who adored him and will miss him dearly but who are grateful for the many loving years they had with him.
Funeral service will be held at Congregation B'nai Jacob on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 10:00 am with Rabbi Rona Shapiro officiating. Burial will follow at B'nai Jacob Memorial Park, Wintergreen Avenue, New Haven. Shiva will be held at the family home following burial Sunday until 8:00 pm and on Monday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.