CLIFFORD COLEMAN ‘CLIFF’ LARRY
Clifford Coleman “Cliff” Larry, 87, of 1220 Strachan Pl., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Sunday, April 6, 2008 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
He was born Aug. 11, 1920 in Regina, Sask. to the late Ernest and Mima Larry and raised in Whitewood, Sask.
During World War II, Cliff joined the services and was stationed in Canada until his discharge. In October, 1938, Cliff moved to Brandon, Man., where he joined the flying club for flying lessons, and later received his pilot’s licence on Dec. 21, 1938.
In 1940 at the age of 20, Cliff first worked as an Air Engineer Apprentice for Canadian Airways in Sioux Lookout. He later joined the Ontario Flying Service in 1943.
His passion in life were planes, and in 1965/66 he completed his first rebuilt plane, the “Aronca Champ,” and flew the first flight in October, 1966.
On Sept. 27, 1969, Cliff was united in marriage to Roma Legros. During the years of raising a family, he began working on his next project, a Cessna 120 in 1970, flying it on Dec. 2, 1971.
On June 23, 1976, (No. 3, a Taylor Craft Piper J3 Cub) was to be his last rebuilt plane.
Cliff thoroughly loved his many years of flying and retired with the position of air engineer from the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1978. He then drove the Fort Frances town bus for the next seven years.
Cliff was a well-known, respected, and loved man by many people, and was an exceptional volunteer when it came to helping in the community. Cliff will be dearly missed by his family and friends alike whose lives he touched.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Roma Larry of Fort Frances, Ont.; one daughter, Andrea (Bjorn Runar) Olsen of Tromsa, Norway and their children, Erik and Elisa, and Jeannette Larry of Sparwood, B.C.
He also is survived by one sister, Ruth Taylor of Brandon, Man.; one sister-in-law, Janet Tymoshyk of Emo, Ont.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one son, Andrew Larry in 2005; one sister, Evelyn Otto; and one brother, Fred (Mac) Larry.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Rev. Kathryn Guthrie will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends may visit prior to services Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until service time.
The honourary pallbearers will be Leon Wells, Art Colfer, Mark Pruys, Murray Soderberg, David Taylor, and Dino D’Agostini.
If family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, 50 Pim St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., P6A 3G4, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
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