Remembering Arnie Lawlor

Arnold Garfield (Arnie) Lawlor

March 26, 1939 – May 10, 2026

The Dorchester community and Dolphins family are saddened by the passing of Arnie Lawlor — a coach, mentor, educator, leader, and friend to so many.

A lifelong connection to hockey ran through Arnie’s life, from playing at Clarkson University, to competing at the senior level while beginning his teaching career, to helping guide the Dorchester Sr. A Dolphins — our namesake team — to an Ontario Championship in their very first season. His commitment to the game also extended provincially through his time on the Ontario Hockey Association Board of Directors, where he represented and supported Junior A, B and C hockey across Ontario.

Beyond the rink, Arnie’s impact reached every corner of the community. As a teacher, mentor, and friend, he shaped countless lives through education and service.

His legacy continues each year through the Arnie Lawlor Coaches Award, presented to a Dorchester Dolphins player who embodies his standard of excellence — versatility, teamwork, positivity, and a willingness to do whatever is asked with a smile.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Arnie on Saturday, May 30th from 1:00–4:00 PM at the North Dorchester Optimist Club, 1653 Richmond Street, Dorchester, Ontario, N0L 1G0.

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Full Obituary

Passed away peacefully in his 87th year. Loved and adored husband of Jude (née Duval) and amazing father of Michael (Michelle) and Jeff. Loved “Gramps” to Mackenzie (Thomas) and Jessy.

Arnie was born in Montreal, Quebec and later moved to Morrisburg, Ontario. While attending high school, Arnie excelled academically and played many sports including hockey and football. After high school, Arnie worked on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway as a deckhand on a tugboat to gather funds for future educational desires.

In 1958, Arnie was asked by the Detroit Red Wings to enter into a “C form contract,” which he rejected. In 1959 he received a full hockey scholarship from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. Clarkson University had a strong hockey program and played in the NCAA Frozen Four finals in 1962 and again in 1963, winning silver and bronze respectively.

After graduating in 1963 with a degree in Business Administration, he began his career with State Farm Insurance while spending his nights attending teachers’ college at the University of Toronto. Arnie started his teaching career in 1965 at North Dundas High School, while also continuing to play competitive hockey at the senior level.

Four years later, Arnie moved to Schreiber, Ontario to continue teaching Business at the high school level and Methodology at Lakehead University. The Lawlor family moved to Dorchester in 1971, where Arnie began teaching Business at Lord Dorchester Secondary School until his first retirement in 1998.

After a few years of retirement, Arnie returned to education as Principal of the American Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua, and later became Director of The Village School in Guatemala.

After returning to Canada, Arnie spent eight years on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Hockey Association, representing players, owners, and staff of Junior A, B and C hockey teams throughout Ontario. Municipal politics was also a passion, serving as a councillor for the town of Morrisburg as well as six years on council for the village of Dorchester.

Arnie is also a member of the Dundas County and Kemptville Sports Halls of Fame.

Arnie will be remembered fondly for his love of coaching and giving back to the members of our community. He coached hockey at all levels in Dorchester as well as baseball, soccer and track. Many of the teams he coached had great success, including the Ontario Champion Dorchester Dolphins in their first year of existence, as well as multiple WASSA championships and success across minor hockey and baseball.

Arnie’s North Star was giving his time and effort to the residents of our community through education and sports. His tireless efforts up to his final days are part of the fabric of our community and will continue to guide it going forward.