John Albert Lally

BOWIE, MD – John A. Lally, 72, died of natural causes November 3, 2022 at his home. The youngest of Dr. Edward and Naomi Lally’s five spirited offspring, John’s personality was a striking mix of bright confidence and firm determination balanced with pragmatism—especially when under pressure.

While his many musical talents lured him toward a career in the fine arts, his outstanding athletic talents won him a full basketball scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. While earning his B.A. there, sports gave way to a deep interest in the challenging and demanding, black-and-white, either/or world of law. After earning his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore, John combined his love for local county and state politics with a successful career in Real Estate and Business Law.

His Bladensburg High School sweetheart Joan Robinson became the other half of their highly successful marriage of 49 years that produced a remarkable family of five equally spirited, music-and-sports-talented offspring: Sean, Cullen, Brendan, Devin, and Brigid.

As his professional career advanced, John’s unquenchable love for playing basketball at both high school and college levels found new avenues of satisfaction, not only by encouraging his own children’s love for the game, but also coaching their Bowie Boys & Girls Club basketball teams and as the assistant Bowe High School basketball team coach.

John joins his predeceased parents, his siblings, Patrick, Edward, and Kathleen, and his son, Cullen (1999).

Family members grieving his passing are his wife Joan, his son Sean and his wife Lisa and their daughter Grace, son Brendan and his daughter Naomi, son Devin and his wife Vanessa, and daughter Brigid and her husband Brian.

A viewing to pay respects will be held 1-4PM, Sunday, November 13, at Beal Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy (Rte. 3 South) Bowie, MD 20715.

John’s funeral will be held at 11AM Monday, November 14, at Sacred Heart Church 16501 Annapolis Rd. Bowie MD, 20715. Streaming of the funeral will be posted later in the week. Immediately after the funeral, the family will be celebrating his life at Molloy’s Irish Pub & Grill 1053 State Route R N Gambrills MD, 21054.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to the Jimmy “V” Valvano foundation (one of John’s many basketball coaches) and share stories/pictures with the family at johnalallystories@gmail.com.

May he rest in peace.