October 24, 1942 – February 27, 2024
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Larry, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, on February 27, 2024.
Cremation has taken place and an intimate family Celebration of Life will occur in the summer.
Love, Denise
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Larry’s memorial page using the comment field below.
I met “Dad” quite a few years ago at Shelley’s place. Immediately, I loved him. He was the kind of man that I wished I had as a father. He was the kindest person that was always interested in others and minimized his issues with his health or his pain. We had a running joke for several years which took place at a Banjo Bowl game at Shelley’s house. I had worn a Sask jersey as a joke and Bombers pants. As soon as Larry (Dad) saw me, he yelled out “GO HOME!” Every time we saw each other after that day, we told each other to Go Home. To the final day I saw him, we joked once again about this. He was excited about my new truck, and I promised to pick him up after his surgery and take him “HOME”. We miss you ‘dad’, and little Paris misses her Grampa.
It was heart breaking to hear the news that my papa passed away. I remember at a very young age he would always put me and my brother to work whether it was clearing snow in the winter, cleaning their vehicles, cutting the grass, painting the fence around the yard, trimming trees and bush in the backyard. I took great excitement in doing all those things because it has taught me good work ethic. There were a lot of firsts with papa, he taught me how to drive when i was just 5 years old. He showed me how to swing a hammer by having me nail together pieces of wood sitting outside his work shop (he always made sure i was hitting the nail straight). Taught me the basics of fishing even tho i didn’t have the patience to sit and wait for a fish to bite.
We did a lot together, i will always remember going down to the lake to swim or stand at the docks while he told me stories, going with him to sample the water for their place, going for drives around the gravel roads to explore, walking thru the woods to find berries or poison ivy (i got poison ivy more times then i found berries).
Papa was the best role model, he had such a great laugh, and an even greater smile. I always looked up to him when i was younger and i still do. I will miss our times together and having conversations with you. I love you so much papa, until we meet again❤️
When I was a child, I met Uncle Larry, but due to family separations, I didn’t see him again until my teen years. Nervous about feeling like an outsider at the family gatherings, Uncle Larry’s warm and welcoming personality always put me at ease. I fondly recall visits to his lake house, where his and Denise’s enchanting garden left me in awe.
Despite being the older brother, my dad shared a special bond with Larry. Over the last 7 years, I’ve grown close to Larry’s daughter, Shelley. Like her father, Shelley radiates warmth and inclusivity, inviting my family to her family holiday dinners for the past several years. These occasions gave me the opportunity to get to know Uncle Larry and Denise a little more. Larry possessed a quiet nature, but always had a witty comment or joke to share. He had such a kind soul and I always felt calm in his presence.
Uncle Larry’s love and commitment to family were truly special. I know his absence is felt deeply by everyone who knew him. He will forever hold a special place in my heart as my favorite uncle. Rest in peace, Uncle Larry. I know dad will be overjoyed to see you again. ❤️
I am still so heartbroken about this tragic loss in my life. Papa was the best grandfather anyone could’ve asked for. I would’ve really loved for my children to meet you one day and see what an awesome man you were. I’ll forever miss the time’s I spent with you at the lake. You taught me a crazy amount of things in life. Taking me fishing the first time with your friend out on the boat was a very memorable moment for me because you were just so happy. You had the biggest smile on your face the whole time we were out fishing. You also taught me how to drive, you would put me on your lap (I would steer while you controlled the petals) and we would go drive the truck on gravel roads and you would tell me a bunch of stories about things that had happened at the lake or stories about people that lived around you. You taught me how to skip rocks but I could never get a rock to skip as many times as you. You were always there for me when I needed you, you would not hesitate to help me with anything I needed.
You loved to horse around with me. We would make each other laugh so much. I would always look forward to seeing you at family gatherings, and having you come over to spend the day with us. I miss you so much and I love you so much. You’ll always be with me in spirit and I love you papa. ❤️❤️
In the early morning hours, the heartbreaking news came that God had called your name and was taking you home. My heart broke in a million little pieces at that moment, how, why? Dad I cannot even describe how much I love you and miss you. I was truly blessed to have you in my life all these years. Even as I write this, it is so unbelievable. Dad is gone say it is not so, this must be a mistake so much disbelief.
What can I say in few words to sum up Dad? He was a quiet, reserved man, who never sought attention but was the person people were drawn too. He was a hard worker, funny man with a good sense of humor.
I have a ton of memories of you Dad, too many to share here but I will hold them close to my heart but as I go through my memories and our last conversations, I am drawn to the day I met you at a fund raising social for mutual friends of yours and moms. This is the day you met my mom. You came and joined us at our table. You and mom were so quiet and I thought oh this will never work they are both too shy to even talk to one another but to my surprise I found out later you took mom out and this is where it all began for us.
Years later you and mom bought property because you wanted a home at the lake. We all pitched in on weekends to help clear the land and get it ready for your house. The lake became the gathering place for all special days like birthdays and just a place to get away and relax.
When you came out to the lake Dad always made sure, you felt welcomed. Dad loved his vegetable garden and sharing food with everyone. He got great pleasure of going into the garden and grabbing some onions, carrots or something else to give you to take home. Dad loved having people out at the lake. During these gatherings, I would often look over to where he was and would see him sitting quietly by himself, glancing around at everyone and smiling as he observed how much fun everyone was having. Maybe he was taking everything in, counting his blessings having every one of his loved ones around him and mom. We really did not fully know back what this place would mean to all of us when you built it. The lake was the place you and mom called home but it’s was more than just your home. You and Mom made sure that the lake was everyone’s special spot, always filled with love, family, friends, laughter, fun and food. This place would unite us all as family and provide so many precious memories to last us a lifetime.
I cherished and miss dads laugh and his smile. I am not sure if people knew that Dad had a mischievous side too and would get that little grin when he was up to something. I would see this often when he and Rob were up to something lol. Dad was a teacher who loved passing on his knowledge to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He left them with these lessons as his legacy. I witnessed him instill in my kids the values of hard labor, respect for a job well done, learning to swim, fish, drive, till the ground in preparation for planting, and taking care of food that was being grown. These are just a few things he taught us, the list is endless. He was a great Husband, Father, Friend and Papa to us and because of our love and admiration for this one man who never sought attention, even if he was the quietest person in the room, to my kids and me he was the biggest person there without even trying. Dad I thank you for everything and for always being there for me no matter what.
Love you today, tomorrow and always
Bonnie