Thomas "Noodle" Patrick Lawrence

Thomas Patrick “The Noodle” Lawrence, passed away at his residence on Thursday May 22, 2025.

He was born August 6, 1955, in Youngstown, the son of the late Alfred Thomas and Mary Catherine Flood Lawrence and was a lifelong area resident.

Tom went to Saint Patrick’s school and graduated from Cardinal Mooney in 1973. He also attended Mahoning County Joint Vocational School, Choffin Career Center and Youngstown State University, where he studied accounting and transportation.

After high school he went to work for Crogan Plumbing for three years, which then led him to obtaining a job with Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority in 1976.  While at YMHA he did multiple jobs at several sites throughout the tri-county area and eventually advanced to foreman. During that time, he also served two years as President and eight years as secretary of AFSCME local 288. Tom retired in 1996.

When Tom was a young boy growing up on East Earle Ave., one of his brothers nicknamed him Noodle. The name stuck for the rest of his life, and everyone called him “The Noodle”.

Tom loved snow and water skiing, boating, golfing, bowling, snowmobiling, traveling, all types of adventure and was a member of the Youngstown Ski Club for many years. He especially enjoyed backcountry camping trips on horseback in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Montana.

An avid believer in the benefits of exercise, he was a member of the Central YMCA for fifty years, and it became his second home.

On one trip out west, he was golfing at Pebble Beach and was asked to add a man to his group. Being a novice golfer, this gentleman appreciated all of the golfing tips that Tom shared with him. At the end of the round, the golfer told him that he was the Marketing Manager for Wilson Sporting Goods and asked "Noodle" if he would sell the rights to his name. To this day Wilson Sports still markets a "Noodle Golf Ball ".   

Tom’s true legacy is the spirit of his willingness to help friends and strangers alike, which he did with generosity of heart, laughter and a few “corny jokes” thrown in for good measure. As his health declined, he accepted his limitations while maintaining a positive attitude and never giving up. Tom was an inspiration to all. He relied on his Catholic faith as his source of strength.

Tom’s family would like to thank Eileen Hsich, M.D., Kay Kendall and the entire Cleveland Clinic Heart Failure/Transplant Team who took excellent care of Tom for more than 17 years.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Kathleen A. (Robert) Thorne of Berlin Center, brothers Raymond (Beverly) Lawrence of Girard and James (Janyce) Lawrence of Boardman and his brother-in-law Joseph McAuley of Ashburn, Virginia.

He also leaves fourteen nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Ellen McAuley and brother Frank Thomas (Carol) Lawrence, and an infant sister Theresa.
 
Family and friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday June 1, 2025, at the Fox Funeral Home Boardman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. on Monday June 2, 2025, at Saint Dominic Church 77 E. Lucius Ave. Youngstown, celebrated by Rev. Vincent Delucia, O.P.  Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery.

 The Lawrence family has requested that material tributes can be made in Thomas's name to St. Dominic Church, St Patrick Church, 1402 Oak Hill Ave. Youngstown or the YMCA of Youngstown, 17 N. Champion St. PO Box 1287 Youngstown, OH 44503-1602.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

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