On August 15, 2025, heaven gained a precious soul. Larry passed away peacefully at Riverside Health Care in Fort Frances, surrounded by his loving family, special friends, and Father Mac.
On June 1, 1946, an adorable brown-eyed, dimpled, firecracker was born to George and Kirsti Armstrong. He had four siblings: Lorraine Elliott, Lyle, James, and Kathie Armstrong. When Larry was only one week old, his parents brought him up to Reef Point, where most of his favourite childhood memories took place, and his soul was happiest. At the age of 15, a pretty young lady named Merilie (Mitzi) Callahan came along and stole his heart forever. Their love story was one for the ages, which had Larry so smitten he would take Mitzi home from Second Street to 402 Church Street walking on his hands! They married on June 22, 1968 and created three beautiful children together. Their first born daughter Allison was born in 1971. It was love at first sight and instantly Larry realized the role of “Dad” would be his most important one. Although he had less than two years with her, baby Allison was the sunshine of his life and he enjoyed taking her for truck rides and checking out the job sites. Losing her was a heartbreak that never healed. A few months later, they were blessed with their second born daughter Nicole (Nikki) Armstrong in 1974. Larry and Nikki had a very special bond from the start, and she was the apple of his eye. He was always so proud of the wonderful mother she was to her four children, and was especially grateful for her caring for him through all of his health problems. In 1975, Larry was finally blessed with Shane, the son he always dreamed of having, and an instant best friend. When Shane worked alongside him at George Armstrong Company, Larry was beaming with pride. Larry and Mitzi were blessed with seven amazing grandchildren: Nicholas, Austin, Callahan, Alex, Christian, Ashton, and Cassandra Armstrong, who were the pride and joy of Larry’s life.
Larry was predeceased by his mother Kirsti Armstrong; father George Armstrong; brothers Lyle and James Armstrong; his first-born daughter Allison; brother-in-law Bill Elliott; mother and father-in-law Kathleen and Thomas Callahan; sisters-in-law Fran Sinclair and Kathie Sawada; brothers-in-law Tommy and Sean Callahan and Rob Sinclair; niece Heather Sawada; and grandson Nicholas Steele.
Larry is survived by his wife Mitzi Armstrong; daughter Nicole Armstrong; son Shane Armstrong (Bobbi); grandchildren Callahan, Christian, Cassandra, Austin, Alex and Ashton Armstrong; and many nieces and nephews.
Larry had many passions in life in addition to his family, including flying. He was a pilot for over 60 years and spent most of his best years soaring through the skies in his beloved float plane. He was also a licensed scuba diver and one of his favourite hobbies was hunting with his buddies. His greatest passion, however, was definitely working with his father George, and later his son Shane, running their family business, George Armstrong Company. They built many of the highways and bridges around Northwestern Ontario and completed many impressive big projects including the Noden Causeway, Sioux Narrows Bridge, Suncor Energy crushing in Alberta and the waterfront development of the La Verendrye Parkway, just to name a few. George and Larry are both together smiling knowing that their legacy is living on through Shane.
When Larry worked, he worked hard, when he played, he played hard and when he loved, he loved hard. His friendships meant the world to him in both his professional and personal life. Many of his greatest friends passed before him, so we can only imagine the special reunion they’re having up there. Larry really did have the best friends in the world.
Although he has left us and journeyed on to his eternal home, we will feel his presence all around us and within us. He will be in the sunsets on Rainy Lake, the crisp Autumn air blowing through the pine trees, the sands of Reef Point, the trails at Sault Pit, the sound of float planes flying over or the storm clouds rolling in. He will live on in the hearts of his family and the stories of his friends and we will miss him with every beat of our hearts.
Funeral services took place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, which was the same day that his baby Allison became an angel 52 years ago. Father Mac officiated and honorary pallbearers were Larry’s grandchildren: Callahan, Christian, Cassandra, Austin, Alex, and Ashton Armstrong. If anyone desires to make a donation, please direct it towards the St. Mary’s Catholic Church building fund in Fort Frances.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds,
and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of–wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew-
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
