Naperville coach, gym pioneer Lawler remembered as a winner

"Win."

It was one of the last words longtime physical education teacher and baseball coach Phil Lawler bestowed upon his adult son Todd before his death.

"That's all he did his whole life is win," Todd said. "Whether it be physical education, whether it be baseball or with our family, he won. He won all the time."

The proof was at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Naperville on Friday where several hundred family members, friends, colleagues and baseball players gathered to say goodbye to a man many say inspired them with his passion and commitment.

Phil was 60 when he died on April 23 after a long battle with cancer.

"I'm the luckiest kid alive to be able to call this great man my hero and my dad," Todd said, asking those in attendance to tell the people in their lives how much they love them.

Phil spent 30 years teaching at Madison Junior High in Naperville where he revolutionized the school's physical education program, turning the focus to promoting lifelong healthy habits. It became a model for districts around the country.

Paul Zientarski, physical education, health and driver education coordinator at Naperville Central High School and one of Phil's close friends, said it was hard not to get caught up in Phil's excitement over his latest projects or lessons. He called his friend a motivator, an advocate and a competitor who did everything with class.

"If there's one legacy I can say about Phil it is if you can leave this world a better place than when you came in then you've done a good job," he said. "Phil, you did a good job."

For nearly three decades Phil could also be found in the dugout of Naperville Central High School where he was an assistant coach alongside head coach Bill Seiple. Together they led the team to a Class AA state championship in 2006.

Lawler is also a member of the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, has a summer baseball tournament named after him and had his "29" jersey retired at Central.

Seiple on Friday said anyone who came into contact with Phil went away "enriched by his conversation, his encouragement, his support and his love."

"Some people see things for what they are," Seiple said. "Phillip had the gift of seeing things for what they could be."

During his retirement, Phil put his energy into working with PE4life, a not-for-profit group that develops fitness programs for children. Working with the group brought him international recognition and respect. He even appeared in the 2004 documentary film, "Super Size Me."

Despite his many professional endeavors, Phil's family was always a priority.

Daughter Kim Marino on Friday spoke of the "legacy of love" Phil and his wife of 36 years, Denise, gave their three children.

"My father loved unconditionally," Marino said. "It didn't matter what you did or you didn't do. It didn't matter what color you were or how old you were; it didn't matter the opinion you held. It didn't even matter if you played baseball or not."

Oldest son Scott emphasized the strength of his father's faith even during a six-year battle with cancer.

"He never complained, he never asked why, he just kept accomplishing goals and being with family," Scott said.

When he was younger, Scott remembers telling people he had no plans to become a baseball coach like his father and uncle, thinking he would try his hand at something different. But baseball is in his blood and he is now an associate head coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Phil's favorite movie - "Field of Dreams" - is now Scott's, he said. Not because it took place in Phil's birthplace of Iowa or even because it is about baseball. But for the final scene showing a father and son playing catch.

"I can't wait to play catch with you in heaven," Scott said. "I'll do my best to be a good person and make sure I see you there."