Obituaries

Lawrence M. (Larry) Schwab

1941-2026

Lawrence M. (Larry) Schwab, 85, was born on February 10, 1941 in Buffalo to the late Gilbert and Helen (Boyle) Schwab, and passed away on his own terms on October 14, 2026 after a brief illness.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, in 1992, after which he finished raising their six children: Larry Jr. (Joyce), Daniel (Denise), Jeffrey (Donna), Kristin (Richard), Rebecca (Joel), and Eric (Jenna). Larry did an admirable job as a single parent, and was always happy to share the latest on his children's achievements.

In addition to his children, Larry is survived by his grandchildren, Katie, Anthony, Timothy, John, Krystel, Cynthia, Jacob, Jenna, Justin, Chase, Mary Katherine, Abigail, Elliott, and Oliver; his great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Olivia, and Joseph; his sister, Lynn (John); his sister-in-law, Mary Louise, his brothers-in-law, Rick (Dan) and Paul; and more nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family than this paper has room to list.

Larry was also preceded in death by his brothers, Gilbert ("Butch"), Phillip, and Thomas, his sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Elaine, and his brother-in-law, David.

Larry served honorably in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, and spent his career as a public safety officer at SUNY Fredonia. After retiring, Larry refused to do normal retired-person activities, and went back to work doing a little bit of everything, from testing fire systems, to driving a school bus, to running a side business as a handyman.

Larry will be remembered fondly by his family and many friends for being one-of-a-kind, a man with a large collection of non-working machinery, a deep loyalty to Tim Horton's, a three-times-a-day ice cream habit, and a large number of catchphrases, most of which would not be appropriate to print. He possessed a great sense of humor, a strong work ethic, and a generosity that he shared with anyone who needed it.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date, and because it will be planned by his children who need a little time, as Larry would say, we'll get there when we get there.