Obituary for Lawrence "Larry" Makinen
Lawrence (Larry) Makinen
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lawrence (Larry) Makinen, an adored husband, dad and papa, whose battle with cancer had barely begun. Larry passed away peacefully at Hospice Waterloo Region, surrounded by his wife and children, on June 15, 2022 at the age of 73, just three months after receiving his devastating diagnosis.
Larry leaves behind the love of his life for 50 years, Bonnie; his children Tiffany Bradley (Wayne), Bjorn Makinen (Tracey) and Chantry Gesinghaus (Brandon); his precious grandchildren, Aiden, Brooke, Erik, Ronan, Keira and Lynden; his cherished mom, Evelyn; his twin brother Gerald; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Debbie and Jim Butler. He also leaves many cousins, friends and extended family who truly loved him. Larry was predeceased by his father Robert in 2007.
Larry was born and raised in a small town in northern Ontario, among the trees and lakes of Kenora. His family moved to Kitchener during his high school years, where he met Bonnie. She was a hall monitor, and he was a rebel. His family returned to Kenora, but Larry listened to his heart and stayed in Kitchener with Bonnie. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo, and received his Master of Education from Althouse College (Western). Larry was a dedicated teacher of the deaf for 35 years at high schools in Milton and London. He would unconsciously sign along to his favourite show or to music, and would often approach someone using ASL to have a conversation with them. Because of his roots, he loved the outdoors, enjoying canoeing, hiking through the forest, and walking along the water in Myrtle Beach, SC, and in Port Elgin, where he and Bonnie spent many retirement years. He was an avid Blue Jays fan, and spent every Father’s Day watching the game with his daughters – it was a tradition they held for many years. Larry loved traveling and saw much of the world alongside Bonnie and their friends on cruises. And he always ordered the banana split.
Wherever you are now, Larry, we hope you are listening to Pink Floyd, eating Old Dutch Bar-B-Q chips, and sipping bourbon with the sun on your face. We have put in a request that the Blue Jays win the World Series this year in your honour. We will miss you every day. Thanks for being so easy to love.
At Larry’s request, cremation has taken place, and there will be no visitation or service (we only had one veto, and we used it on his first request: to be set adrift in his canoe). As expressions of sympathy, he asked that donations be given to Hospice Waterloo Region ( https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E341806QE&id=78 ), where he had the most compassionate care for the last weeks of his life. Cards will also be available by calling the Henry Walser Funeral Home at 519-749-8467.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lawrence (Larry) Makinen, an adored husband, dad and papa, whose battle with cancer had barely begun. Larry passed away peacefully at Hospice Waterloo Region, surrounded by his wife and children, on June 15, 2022 at the age of 73, just three months after receiving his devastating diagnosis.
Larry leaves behind the love of his life for 50 years, Bonnie; his children Tiffany Bradley (Wayne), Bjorn Makinen (Tracey) and Chantry Gesinghaus (Brandon); his precious grandchildren, Aiden, Brooke, Erik, Ronan, Keira and Lynden; his cherished mom, Evelyn; his twin brother Gerald; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Debbie and Jim Butler. He also leaves many cousins, friends and extended family who truly loved him. Larry was predeceased by his father Robert in 2007.
Larry was born and raised in a small town in northern Ontario, among the trees and lakes of Kenora. His family moved to Kitchener during his high school years, where he met Bonnie. She was a hall monitor, and he was a rebel. His family returned to Kenora, but Larry listened to his heart and stayed in Kitchener with Bonnie. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo, and received his Master of Education from Althouse College (Western). Larry was a dedicated teacher of the deaf for 35 years at high schools in Milton and London. He would unconsciously sign along to his favourite show or to music, and would often approach someone using ASL to have a conversation with them. Because of his roots, he loved the outdoors, enjoying canoeing, hiking through the forest, and walking along the water in Myrtle Beach, SC, and in Port Elgin, where he and Bonnie spent many retirement years. He was an avid Blue Jays fan, and spent every Father’s Day watching the game with his daughters – it was a tradition they held for many years. Larry loved traveling and saw much of the world alongside Bonnie and their friends on cruises. And he always ordered the banana split.
Wherever you are now, Larry, we hope you are listening to Pink Floyd, eating Old Dutch Bar-B-Q chips, and sipping bourbon with the sun on your face. We have put in a request that the Blue Jays win the World Series this year in your honour. We will miss you every day. Thanks for being so easy to love.
At Larry’s request, cremation has taken place, and there will be no visitation or service (we only had one veto, and we used it on his first request: to be set adrift in his canoe). As expressions of sympathy, he asked that donations be given to Hospice Waterloo Region ( https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E341806QE&id=78 ), where he had the most compassionate care for the last weeks of his life. Cards will also be available by calling the Henry Walser Funeral Home at 519-749-8467.