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 By Karen Sharpe
IIn keeping with the Holy Cross tradition, members of the class of 1963 share a deep respect for each other, a strong commitment to the College and a firm dedication to provide service to others.
And, when one of its own, Kevin Lawler, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1976 at 36 years old, the class truly came together to offer its support.
By the time of the 25th reunion, Lawler had been severely disabled by the disease, requiring full-time, at-home care. After the reunion in 1988, class members presented the Lawlers with a handicapped-accessible Ford Econoline van and a portable wheelchair. The gift was also the beginning of the “Holy Cross Class of 1963 Foundation,” established to help class members in times of need.
“They asked me if they could give the van to Kevin and I said ‘yes’,” Anne Lawler explains. “It was very generous. It’s hard to be on the receiving end of generosity. People’s natural inclination is to give.”
Lawler now lives in a nursing home in Allendale, N.J., where each week he talks to classmate Mike Toner, who has been friends with Kevin since their first year in high school.
“This class is a very special group,” Toner says, “with an extraordinary bond to each other, which we all cherish. We love to hear about each other’s adventures in life. We feel good about each other’s successes and, more importantly, we feel empathy and sympathy for those times when life gives us a raw deal—Kevin Lawler being a prime example.”
Over the years, the 1963 Foundation has continued to help the Lawlers, as well as other members of the class. But this past August, some of Lawler’s closest friends—including Toner, Charlie Buchta, Phil Martorelli and David McMahon—decided to create a special tribute to their classmate.
Over the years, the group had gathered for smaller reunions near Saratoga, N.Y., the site of the Saratoga Race Course. Operating since 1864, it is one of the oldest and most famous horse tracks in the nation. When Martorelli discovered that there was a possibility of having a race named after someone, the group immediately thought of their pal, Kevin.
So, on Aug. 16, the sixth race of the day at Saratoga Track became “The Kevin Lawler Inspirational.” More than 80 alumni and their spouses attended the event, which received prominent media coverage.
Anne was floored by the honor and Kevin was thrilled.
“Kevin just goes about life being himself, so it was very inspiring to him,” Anne says. “It was a beautiful gift for them to acknowledge how he has coped with his illness all these years.”
“Holy Cross is an incredible community,” Kevin says. “We are all very close and my classmates have been amazingly supportive.”
Anne traveled with her sister to the race to present the trophy to the winning jockey. The friends’ dedication to Kevin did not surprise her.
“It’s the most altruistic, generous, thoughtful class of men,” she says.
“When I first learned of Kevin’s illness, I knew so little about it,” says Buchta, who calls Kevin his closest and most admired friend. “And in the beginning, it did not appear to have much apparent impact—but, as the years went by, the disease did its damage.”
“Kevin went through tough times physically and emotionally,” Buchta continues. “He has shown remarkable resiliency, humility, humor, courage and character—as such, he has been an extraordinary role model for me, his family, friends, classmates and all who come into contact with him. He is truly an inspiration.”
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