Thomas Elsworth Lawson of Quogue, and formerly of Manhattan and Wellesley, Massachusetts, died on June 29. He was 84.
Mr. Lawson’s Odyssean career began in the golden age of New York advertising and spanned 50 years, with leadership positions at Ogilvy & Mather, McCann-Erickson, and Arnold Worldwide.
In 1971, Mr. Lawson joined Ron and Len and formed Rosenfeld, Sirowitz & Lawson. RS&L would become one of the most talked about and dynamic agencies in New York over the next 15 years, creating memorable work for clients such as McDonald’s and Sharp Electronics (“From Sharp Minds Come Sharp Products”). In 1979, RS&L was named the hottest medium-size shop of the year.
Mr. Lawson graduated from Harvard University, where he played varsity football and received the William Paine LaCroix Award for sportsmanship, loyalty, and team spirit. After college, he continued to play tennis, golf, softball, and volleyball as often as he could. He also served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant, earning his Parachutist Badge. In later life, McDonald’s presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anyone who met Mr. Lawson will remember the most well-dressed man in the room, wearing Army green service or Polo black tie with equal elegance. His hospitality was legend: if you showed up on his doorstep — whether you were from overseas or zip code 11959 — you were welcomed with drinks, toasted at dinner, and offered a roof over your head for as long as you needed.
Mr. Lawson is survived by his wife, Nina, the love of his life for over 40 years; his children, Patric (Sarah) of Norwell Massachusetts, James (Caroline Flynn) of Park Slope, and Samantha (Matthew Termine) of Park Slope; grandchildren, Maeve, Cordner, Matilda, Theo, and Oliver; siblings, Captain Peter (Rosine) of San Ramon, California, Judy Clarke of Rockland, Massachusetts, and Christopher (Dianne) of Hanover, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Mr. Lawson’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
27east on Jul 5, 2021