Martin F. Lawler

Martin F. Lawler, 78, retired superintendent of the Carbondale Area School District died Thursday, May 22, 2025 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Anne E. McDonough on November 2, 2022. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 21, 2021.
Born August 8,1946 in Carbondale, PA, he was the son of the late John and Mary Walsh Lawler. He was a graduate of St. Rose High School, Carbondale, class of 1964. He received his Associates Degree in Business Administration from Lackawanna Junior College in 1967 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, with a Minor in Economics and Business Education from Bethel University in 1969. He later received his Master's in Business Education and Elementary Education Certification from Marywood College in 1972. He received his Masters' Degree in School Administration from The University of Scranton in 1975. He continued his education to obtain his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Lehigh University in 1979.
Martin began his education career in the Carbondale Area School District as a 7th grade elementary teacher at the George Washington Elementary School in 1969. He eventually moved into administrative roles as principal of the John Marshall Elementary School and later junior high principal of Carbondale Area High School. From 1982 - 1993, he served as the Principal of Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School. From 1993 until his retirement in 2004, he served as the Superintendent of Schools of the Carbondale Area School District. He later returned to this role as Acting Superintendent for the 2019-2020 school year.
He also served as an adjunct faculty member at both Lackawanna Junior College and Luzerne County Community College. Martin was a member of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19 Professional Advisory Council, Lackawanna County Area Vocational Technical School Administrative Advisory Committee, Lackawanna County District Attorney's Juvenile Task Force Committee, PA Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Committee, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Administrators, PIAA District II Committee/Golf Chairman, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, National School Boards Association, and Educational Committee Skills in Scranton
Martin was very involved in his community, he was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, a former member of the Business Development Advisory Board of Pennstar Bank; the board of directors of the Carbondale Area Chamber of Commerce; board of trustees for Maxis Health Foundation; board member American Cancer Society of Lackawanna County.
He was very active in the Democratic Party and served as a delegate for Ted Kennedy's 1980 Presidential Campaign. He was a member of the Elkview Country Club for 50 years and was a former member of its board of directors and a founding member of the Manhattan Golf League. He was honored to serve, with his brother John, as the honorary grand marshal of the 2014 Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was a member of the executive committee of the Lackawanna County Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; and the Columbia Hose Company No. 5
He is survived by two sons: Martin G. Lawler and wife, Jonelle of Greenfield Township, PA, and Michael J. Lawler of New York, NY; two granddaughters: Elyanna and Marin Lawler; a sister-in-law: Joey Lawler of Carbondale, PA; nephews and niece: Atty. John Lawler, Patrick Lawler, Gregory Pilewicz and Kara Pilewicz Iaconis; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his brother: John J. Lawler.
The funeral was held Thursday, May 29, 2025 from Edward A. Wade Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 4 Morris Place at Terrace Street, Carbondale, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. from St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 North Church Street, Carbondale, PA, celebrated by Rev. Seth Wasnock, pastor. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.
Retired and current faculty and staff members of the Carbondale Area School District provided an honor guard at the church.
Friends called Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were made in Marty's name to the Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St. Carbondale, PA 18407.