Mom's speech

The following is the speech my mom gave at Larry's memorial service. Thought I'd share it.

I wasn’t sure if I'd be able to get up here and get through this but decided that I may have a chance if I keep it light. So, I'm going to talk about Larry’s 4 favorite expressions. They do a pretty good job of describing his outlook on life.

The first expression is “ No Problem.” Larry liked to think he coined this phrase in the early seventies and that everyone started using it after him. When we went to Jamaica he realized that there was at least one island full of folks who beat him to it. Larry’s “No Problem” attitude defined him well as he was the most patient, mellowed-out guy I ever met. How many wives could tell their husbands they were going to run into the BonTon for a few minutes, leave them in the car and come out 40 minutes later, and he would just be sitting there people-watching, and never say a word? Of course, the other side of that mellow coin is that in Larry’s eyes, nothing had to get done right away. In fact “Right Away” was probably Larry’s least favorite expression. As Alice and Elsie could attest, you might have to wait 6 years or so to get your kitchen wallpapered or that boulder he promised you for your garden.

The second expression is “I wonder how they make it so good, and sell it so cheap.” This expression typically referred to beer and was most often heard when he owned Tylersport Tavern, and for several years following when he was an avid supporter of the subsequent owners. In later years, his taste switched to an occasional vodka and tonic, and one night in Cab Frye’s after being charged 7.50 for his drink, the expression changed a bit to “I wonder how they make it so good – but it sure ain’t cheap”.

The third expression is “I wonder what the poor people are doing tonight?” This expression usually popped up when we were out with friends like Bob and Alice for a nice dinner, or taking trips out West with Harry and Claudia, or to the Caribbean with Kathy, Mike, Donna and John, or to Las Vegas – his favorite place in the world. The expression may sound a bit presumptuous to you, but this was Larry’s way of saying how grateful he was to be able to do these things. He often spoke of how he saw his parents struggle with money all their lives, and how going out to dinner for them was maybe a once a year thing, and a nice trip was once in a lifetime. He was truly thankful that he was able to experience the things that he did in his life.

The fourth expression was probably reserved mostly for me. He has always told me “Babe, they don’t make ‘em like me anymore”. I think sometimes I took for granted how Larry could do everything – except maybe work a DVD player. Larry built our house from the ground up, from setting grades and laying block to electrical and plumbing, and down to the painting and baseboard trim. Most of you know that recently we;ve been refurbishing the mobile home on the other end of our property. When he became too ill to finish the job I had to struggle with hiring people for the finishing touches. I told him that it was amazing how many different people we had to call in to get done what he would have done himself. Carpenter, Plumber, Electrician, Painter. This was the last time he reminded me “They just don’t make ‘em like me anymore”. He was right.