Mr. Johnny Lawrence

A Celebration of Life IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHNNY WILLIAM LAWRENCE December 13, 1976 - June 24, 2021 *********** Johnny William Lawrence was born on December 13, 1976 in Brooklyn, NY to Cheryl Lawrence and the late Johnny Hazel. Johnny was born the first of two children and was an older brother to his sister Sheresse. Johnny was raised in the New York City catholic school system and attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. After graduating from high school, Johnny followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he ascended to the rank of Corporal. In 2002, Johnny joined the New York City Police Department as a housing police officer. During Johnny’s 19-year tenure as a police officer, Johnny also wore many hats as an entrepreneur. Johnny was an avid fitness enthusiast and launched a fitness training business, Team Body Rite, with his three friends, Breezy, Lavar, and Kadeem. Johnny served as a personal trainer, a marathon trainer, and was a marathon runner himself. Johnny was also passionate about connecting with others and sharing lessons from his life experiences. To that end, Johnny co-hosted a radio show, Keeping it Real, with Inspector Steven Mauriello, as well as a podcast entitled Memoirs of Johnny Lawrence. Of all of these experiences, Johnny’s most memorable role has been husband to his wife Mona. Johnny and Mona first met in the New York City Police Academy in 2002 and their love story began after they reconnected later in 2015. The couple wed in a private ceremony on Valentine’s Day in 2018. The ceremony was followed by a magical destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico with their family and friends. Their partnership was one of love, admiration, equity, and joy. They were by each other’s side throughout the ups and downs of Johnny’s illness with steadfast devotion. Johnny was a man of good character, who was blessed with a spirit of creativity and a big heart. Johnny was incredibly generous, loving, and supportive to his family and friends. Johnny was blessed with three sons, Johnny, Justice, and Jacob, whom he took great pride in. Johnny adored his mother, Cheryl, and the two of them shared a special bond. In April of 2019, Johnny was diagnosed with a rare form of intestinal cancer. Despite his illness, Johnny was persistent about living his best life, which he did while traveling the world with his wife Mona, inspiring others to do the same. Even in the midst of his battle with cancer, Johnny’s character never wavered and he maintained his strength and resilience until the very end. On June 24, 2021, Johnny embraced heaven’s personal invitation for eternal rest. Johnny Lawrence leaves treasured memories of his wife Mona, his three sons, Johnny, Justice, and Jacob, his step-daughter, Monae Cynthia, his mother Cheryl, his sister, Sheresse, his grandchildren, Zaire and Aaliyah, his nephew Juney, his niece, Ehrys, his mother-in-law, Bernice (Allen), his best friends, Breezy, Lavar, Kadeem, Unique, Corey, and Will. His cousins, and a host of family, friends, and loved ones. Johnny will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Our joys will be greater, our love will be deeper, and our lives will be fuller because we have been in his presence.