Joseph Conrad Lawyer, 71, of Vero Beach passed away in Naples, Fla., Oct. 10, 2016.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty; his son Sean (Jennifer); and his two grandchildren, Katleen and Kieran; sisters Kathleen Thompson, Mary Alice Stetemann and Eileen Talermo; and his brother Patrick.
Lawyer, born May 23, 1945, to Frank and Cathleen in Grand Rapids, Mich., he attended Northeast Mississippi College in 1965 then transferred to the University of Wisconsin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1969.
He began his business career with US Steel and rapidly worked his way up the ladder to become General Manager of USX’s Specialty Steel Products Division at the Company headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa.
He left USX in 1986 to become Chairman and CEO of Christie Park Industries, later Chatwins Group Companies where he engineered many transactions growing the company to one quarter billion dollars in sales. He took the Company public in a reverse merger with Reunion Industries where the company traded on the American then Nasdaq exchanges.
Lawyer stepped down as CEO in 2000 and remained Vice Chairman until his death. He was also a long serving Director of Respironics, a public company, where he chaired the Audit committee. He served as Chairman of Smart Skin Systems, Sheerwind and was a Director of Consolidated Systems.
He and a friend owned Hollyhill Inn and Golf Center in the suburbs of Pittsburgh for 12 years, selling it successfully to a developer in the early 2000’s.
He was a member of The Bent Pine Golf Club and The Orchid Island Club of Vero and The Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh.
Lawyer was known for his prowess at Gin, Poker and Bridge. He will be missed especially by his Bent Pine Gin Group. He possessed a quick mind and a broad sense of humor. His great success in business was surpassed only by his warm and giving personality and his loyalty to his many friends.
Family and friends will be received at a reception at The Bent Pine Golf Club on Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a donation may be made in Joe’s name to the VNA Hospice of Indian River County 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.
