Joseph Lawlor Gomez, 88, of Prospect, surrounded by his family, passed away peacefully at home on June 30, 2021. He was the husband of the late Lillian (DeSanto) Gomez.
He was born on Aug. 30, 1932, in New Haven, son of the late Joseph R. Gomez and Louise (Lawlor) Gomez. Joe was a graduate of Lé Cule de Ste Louis in New Haven and Crosby High School. He also attended Post College for a year, before working on the family cattle ranch in Kremmling, Colo.
In 1952, Joe entered the Railway Mail Service as a clerk on the Portland Maine and New York train. With the discontinuance of mail trains in 1967, he transferred to the New Haven Sectional Center, rising rapidly through the ranks as foreman, superintendent, manager retail sales, and retiring as director, commercial accounts, northeast region of the USPS. Joe was detailed for a time in Washington, D.C., where he helped to devise the system that is used nationally by window clerks. He was invited in 2008 by the Postal Museum of the Smithsonian Institution to appear in and serve as an advisor for a documentary film about the Railway Mail Service.
For over 45 years, Joe and Lillian were the owner/operators of a Christmas Tree Farm in Monticello, Maine. While there, they were recipients of the Field and Stream Conservation Award for 1973.
Joe was a prolific writer and authored several books. His stories were featured in several national publications. A published poet, he also wrote a monthly column for the Prospect Pages newspaper.
Joe was an active member of the Prospect community and served for a time as director of recreation and later as chairman of the Prospect Safety Commission. In 2012, he was recognized by the town for his significant contribution to the town history.
Joe was a daily communicant St. Anthony Church, a 32-year member of the Rosary Society and a member of the Reverend James O’Dea Council of the Knights of Columbus. Together with his friend Wayne Oliver, he made many trips to St. Petersburg, Russia, to help meet the needs of Orphanage #12.
Joe was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Railway Mail Library, the Coffee Club, the Maine Christmas Tree Association and the Prospect Seniors.
Joe was preceded in death by five brothers, John J. “Jack” Gomez, Gerard L. Gomez, Bernard J. Shea, John L. Shea and Richard Rafferty.
He leaves sons, Larry and John Gomez, and a daughter, Laurene Gomez, all of Prospect. Joe is survived by five grandchildren, Marc, Eric, Amanda, Samantha and Karley Gomez. He is survived by five “favorite” godchildren, Judith Wrogg, Elizabeth Synott, Sal Guiliano, Deborah Davis and John Shea. He leaves several nieces and nephews, and his sisters-in-law, Constance Shea Copes and Marjorie Shea, and a special friend, Theresa Campbell, and Teenie the dog.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021, at St. Anthony Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect. Burial will follow at Prospect Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In honor of Joe’s service to the town of Prospect, a procession will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. from the Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Road, Prospect, journeying past his home on route to the church. Prospect Memorial Funeral home is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to: Prospect V.F.D., 26 New Haven Road, Prospect, CT 06712 or St. Anthony Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect, CT 06712.
For directions, to place photographs, share memories or leave words of comfort for Joe’s family, visit prospectmemorial.com.
