After graduating Batavia High School, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was as a mechanic for the Air Force on B-17s, B-24s and Mustangs. In the closing months of the War, he was appointed an Allied base boiler mechanic in Nuremburg overseeing German prisoners assigned to him. Those prisoners saved his life when his clothing caught fire.
He returned to the U.S. and on June 8, 1946 married Jean Ricciof Batavia, who passed away November 9, 2007. Larry worked for Massey-Harris, then as a Snap-On Tool sales rep calling on many area garages, towns and schools. He was a regional sales rep for FMC Corporation when he retired. He was a member of St. Anthony’s RC Church that his father and uncles helped build. He belonged to its Holy Name Society and served as the church’s Boy Scout leader raising five young men to Eagle Scouts. He was a past president of Batavia Lions Club. In later life, he compiled a family genealogy distributing more than 100 copies to relatives and donating a copy to Richmond Memorial Library. He was a lifelong learner taking computer technology classes at Genesee Community College and becoming an online stock market trader. He was a summer resident of Silver Grove, Silver Lake, NY. He and Jean traveled in retirement to Italy and Africa and much enjoyed family weekends at the lake playing cards and horseshoes.
Along with his wife and parents, he is predeceased by his siblings: Angeline, James, Samuel, Paul, Joseph, and Carmella (Minnie) Barone; and his grandson, Jeffrey Andrews.
He is survived by his children: Kathleen (Ronald) Andrews of Clarence Center, NY; twins Larry (Randi) LaRussa of Henrietta, NY and Lorraine (Ray)Sturm of Perry, NY; grandchildren: Jon (Tricia) Andrews of Williamsville, NY; Jennifer (Chris) McCarron of Golden, CO; David (Riham) LaRussa of Saratoga, NY; Dr. Larry (Erica) LaRussa of Philadelphia, PA; twins Lori (Marco) Tocco of Rochester, NY and Kristina LaRussa of Detroit, MI; Alison (Damon) Burgess of Smithtown, NY; Dr. Susan Sturm of Dunkirk, NY; and Ray Sturm of Rochester, NY; great-grandchildren: Derek and Sean Andrews of Williamsville, NY; Olivia LaRussa of Saratoga, NY; Annalisa LaRussa of Philadelphia, PA; Sofia Tocco of Rochester and twins Grayden and Logan Burgess of Smithtown, NY; cousin Pauline Fricano of Batavia, NY; sister-in-law Marion Ricci of Batavia, NY; beloved nieces Ann MacGregor of Batavia, NY and Grace (Ron) Cole of Attica, and Janet (Dominic) Lovria of Batavia, NY; as well as many other nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 4-8 PM, Thursday, Aug. 20 at Gilmartin Funeral Home& Cremation Company, Inc., 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, NY. There is a Mass of Christian burial at 10 AM, Fri., Aug. 21 at the former Sacred Heart Church, 15 Sumner Street, Batavia. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Ellicott Street, Batavia.
Memorials may be made to Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross Street, Batavia, New York14020. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home& Cremation Company, Inc., 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260.
