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LARRY WILLIAM CALVERT
Born: Jun 04, 1941
Date of Passing: Dec 20, 2020
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LARRY WILLIAM CALVERT
June 4, 1941 – December 20, 2020
A chat with Mom and Dad, Larry was on his way to Eureka, Ellsmere Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, 693 miles from the North Pole. Following more Canadian north employment, he looked to warmer countries: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Nigeria and back to Manitoba and west to British Columbia.
In 2004 Larry and Gwen moved to Duncan on Vancouver Island to live with Wendy and Ted. Bonus for Larry, four blocks from the casino, an easy commute on his scooter. Larry, also answering to Red or Viking, had a wish: IF he got old, all he needed was a warm place and audience for his stories. Well, Duncan's title as The Warm Land and living at Cairnsmore Place for the past ten years, his wish was granted.
There were many fond memories with Larry: Bob and Larry canoe fishing at Flin Flon lakes; Chris and Larry fishing off the Matlock Pier; and Wendy sitting on the front square of the toboggan - it was not his finest hour, having to explain my split lip to Mom. At age 13, Larry took me and my friend June to see the movie 'Psycho', we haven't had shower curtains in our home since.
To me, Larry was the cool older brother who taught me to jive, curl, figure the mystery of the clutch, gas and shifter of a 1952 Dodge, and always check the fuel tank. That piece of advice came by way of Larry and I witnessing the landing of the Gimli Glider with an empty fuel tank on July 23, 1983.
The precious memory his nieces and nephew have is Christmas Eve, 1975. Uncle Larry, wearing his Buffalo coat on the ski-doo, towing a decorated sleigh with Santa Claus, a.k.a. Len Ford, sleigh bells ringing, loaded with presents.
Larry was predeceased by his mom, dad, brothers, Bob and Chris. Remembering him is his sister Wendy and brother-in-law Ted Hooper; sister-in-law Day Calvert of Tampa, Florida; nieces, Deena, Brook, Christa and Lindsey, nephew Chris; great-nieces, Elyssa, Sarah and Bella; cousins, Wayne, Terry Genevieve, Kevin, Susan, Bill, Norma, Bev, and friends, Brian, Bob, Fred and Ray.
Wendy and Ted wish to thank the beautiful people at Cairnsmore Place, Dr. Teresa Elliott, Jason Czettisch of Mann's Pharmacy, Vicky Allen and many more for their care of Larry. He did not want to go gently into the night, he wanted to keep travelling, bringing exciting gifts and stories home to entertain us. His favourite was the narwhal tusk exchanged for a crowbar.
I told him to put the kettle on, we'll all show up eventually. Red will be with his mom, dad and little brother Chris at St. John's Cathedral Cemetery in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I lived. I loved.
I laughed. I left.
Larry will be deeply missed.
Our travelling man is home.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2021
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Beautiful tribute. Larry was a friend to all. A wonderful and kind, gentle soul. This picture exemplifies Larry - handsome, friendly, with an easy laugh and a ton of fascinating tales to tell about his worldly adventures. Larry was a great friend of my brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Joy Bobby, and I cherish the memories of the fun times we all had in Matlock in the summertimes. So much laughter and good times shared. Rest easy Larry. Your memory will always bring a smile. - Posted by: Robbie Bobby (Friend) on: Apr 28, 2021
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Beautiful obituary Wendy. My sincere condolences to you and Ted and family. Larry and my late husband, Bob were lifelong friends who shared a very special relationship which extended to me and our children who knew him as "Uncle Larry". Larry always came for a visit between his world travels sharing with us his always interesting life experiences. His last visit with us was on the day that his dear friend Bob passed away. They will be united again, sharing a few Jack Daniels and memories of their many escapades. We will always lovingly remember Larry for his gentle, generous and compassionate nature. - Posted by: Vivian Dayment (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2021
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Our deepest condolences....... I only met Larry once while at lunch in Winnipeg Beach and heard about his travels north to Ellsmere Island. My husband knew Larry quite well on the other hand, "Pumpkin" as he introduced him to me. Craig used to work at Tex's in Winnipeg Beach, knew his vehicles well, and said he always took good care of them. He told me a story of how Larry always bragged about never getting a speeding ticket. One day my husband was working summer fallow in one of our fields just south of Matlock and low and behold the police pulled Larry over for a speeding right in front of where Craig was working. Next time Larry saw Craig he said I knew it had to be you out in that tractor, going around in circles just watching me get that ticket! Craig had a good chuckle when he was telling me that story this morning. - Posted by: Craig Thidrickson (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2021