November 26, 1950 – July 4, 2016
Larry passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 4, 2016 in the palliative care ward of St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver. Larry was born and raised in Nanaimo, the third and youngest son of Len and May Johnson. He attended school there through grade twelve and then attended and graduated from UBC. Larry and family enjoyed the easygoing lifestyle of small town Nanaimo at that time and spent many great times in the outdoors camping, fishing, and boating around Nanaimo. Shawnigan Lake, Sproat Lake and other Vancouver Island locations were favourite spots for camping in summer. A few summer trips into the Cariboo and Okanagan also provided many happy memories. Water-skiing was one the things Larry enjoyed, and one summer in his teens he water-skied from Departure Bay all the way across Georgia Strait to Sechelt. Larry and one of his buddies also took part in the Nanaimo to Vancouver Bathtub Race in the late 60’s. The seas were fairly rough that year and their tub was swamped just near Entrance Light. Their tub was featured on the cover of the 1969 Official Program. Larry was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the mid 70’s and battled with the disease on and off for the rest of his life. He became somewhat estranged from his family but he was always in our thoughts. In his time spent during his last weeks at St. Paul’s he reconnected with family and we all shared many great past memories. Larry was predeceased by his parents – survived by brothers Brian (Sherry) and Bob (Tina), all of Kamloops BC, as well as five nieces and a nephew and their families. The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Social Workers at St. Paul’s Hospital for Larry’s care while there, and the staff at Coast Mental Health and Hooper Apartments where Larry resided for many years. Donations in Larry’s name may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. There will be no service by request. Interment will take place at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 23rd.