Thomas E. Lawless passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Melrose on February 7, 2012. He was 89 years of age. Thomas was born in Boston, on October 4, 1922 to the late Thomas & Veronica (Leifhelm) Lawless. He was raised in Dorchester and attended the New England Aircraft School in Boston. During WWII he worked at the Air Transportation Command in Presque Isle, Maine as a mechanic, assisting with the transportation of US troops to the Europe. Mr. Lawless worked in the Avionics field as an electrical mechanic starting at Northeast and then at Delta Airlines for 41 years. Thomas has been a resident of Melrose for the past 59 years, was a founding member of Incarnation Church in Melrose; where he was active with the St. Vincent De Paul Society and was a former Cub Scout leader. Mr. Lawless was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Melrose and enjoyed his Thursday luncheons with the Delta Retirees Club. Tom liked spending summers in Maine and traveled extensively throughout the world with his wife Irene. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was also blessed with a wonderful circle of lifelong friends. Mr. Lawless enjoyed working around his home, refinishing furniture, camping and playing poker with his card group. Tom was the beloved husband of 65 years to Irene T. (Bresnahan) Lawless. Devoted father of Anne Gontarz & her husband Richard of Medford, Joyce Marie Lawless of Melrose, Carol Jangro & her husband Bruce of Wakefield, Nancy Crotty & her husband Blaise of Rowley, Thomas Lawless & his wife Marilyn of Stoneham, Julie Woods & her husband William of Ogunquit, ME and David Lawless & his wife Elaine of Swampscott. Loving brother of Joan Lembo & her husband Nicholas of Dorchester. Also survived by 17 grandchildren, 4 great grandsons and several nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Saturday, Feb. 11th at 9AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St. Melrose, at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8PM. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA, 02210.