Shawn Michael Laswell

Shawn loved his family, his community and his art. He leaves his parents, William and Donna Laswell, his son, Michael, and his brother, Glenn.

He went to school in Waltham and graduated in 1991. He launched his first successful business in Waltham, Shawn and Son, an interior/exterior painting business. He went on to create The Eclectic Easel and was known as SpectacleSpectacle on social media. For over a decade he was referred to as The Record Guy, hanging many of his abstract, colorful and sometimes amusingly painted vintage 78 record around the city, bringing color and art to the community.

Shawn died Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 52.

He was appreciated and admired, making donations of his artwork to nonprofits, doing on site restoration of statues, creating and assisting other artists in preparations and installations of community murals and displays and donating his artwork to many local businesses.

He had over 19 showings of his work at the Waltham Public Library and his work appears in many businesses and locations throughout the city.

He loved reading, metal detecting, vintage movies, and a variety of musical genres.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his loving family and community friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Shawn’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, August 15th from 4 to 7 p.m and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Shawn’s love of the arts, donations can be made to the City of Waltham Scholarship Fund, Treasurer’s Office, 610 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02452. Attn: Shawn Laswell Scholarship.