Tuesday, December 21, 2021
What can you say about a great person and friend. Not just a superficial friend but a college roommate. Few of us know someone better than a roommate. So I can say that Larry embodied love, loyalty, curiosity, integrity, patience(except rooting for his teams) and humor with an impish twist. He was an optimist and made a point of enjoying simple pleasures in life such as a phone call with a friend, holding his granddaughter, a bite of chocolate, or a Guinness. He believed in the essential goodness of others but expected that standards be respected. He would be unsatisfied if his beloved team won but did so without actually deserving to win. I always saw that as an example of his integrity. But his integrity was much more profound. Honesty, loyalty, good will and sensitivity to all is Larry. Also, Larry rarely complained and faced setbacks with humor. I recall time when we were playing flag football on the Notre Dame campus and Larry broke a bone near his ankle. While he lay on the cold, damp ground waiting for an ambulance, one of our friends said Larry, tell us your insurance provider in case you pass out. Without pause, Larry said “Shifty and Sons of Newark” which was dutifully written down by our friend. In summary, there are those who believe we are on earth to learn something profound about the power and necessity of LOVE but there may be others on earth to help teach the power and necessity of LOVE. If so, Larry was here as an example: as a teacher. I write this but Larry being Larry, I think he would disagree. He would insist that he had learned as much as he gave. Larry, as the Irish blessing goes: May God Hold You In The Palm Of HIS Hand. We miss you. Love, Gail and Phil Carey
