Larry John Cumming

1948 ~ 2021

With the heaviest of hearts, the family of Larry Cumming announce his death on February 15, 2021, while outdoors in the fresh air on his beloved lake.

His amazing presence will be forever missed by his wife of 40 years, Pat, and his children Jeff (Amanda), Ryan (Kerrie) and Sherrie (Darrin), and by his siblings Linda (Richard) and Randy.  A host of other family and friends, both here at home in Manitoba and in his “second home”, his desert paradise in California, will also miss him. He has been reunited with two brothers, Bob and John, his parents Stuart and Marion, and with his parents-in-law.

Larry was a passionate man who cared deeply, and gave his all to those he loved, and the things he believed in. To feel the sunshine of his love was to know joy, contentment, and security. He lit up and commanded every room he entered, and the party really started when he arrived. His humour was legendary, wickedly irreverent, and ribald, his charm irresistible.

Larry was proud of his 40-year career with the same transformer company, and his remarkable natural abilities as a leader and an innovator of ingenious solutions to the multitude of production problems that arose daily on the shop floor and in the field made him a highly respected and valued employee. He travelled widely both in Canada and abroad during his years in Field Service, most memorably his trips to Kenya to supervise a multi-unit installation there. He truly was “the man” when you needed something built, fixed, moved, lifted, or figured out. Never afraid of a challenge, he did not quit until the job was done.

When he met Pat, they began a 43 year journey that could only lead to one place, the fulfillment of their dream to live at the lake in the home they designed and built in the place they both loved most.  Transitioning from the tiny perfect cottage on the island at Nutimik Lake, to their much loved retirement home on Eleanor Lake, they wove a treasured fabric of friends, adventures and memories, so many wonderful memories.

His greatest love was being outdoors at the lake, or on the lake.  He explored every inch of the lakes on the Winnipeg River, and the back trails in the North Whiteshell, on every motorized vehicle known to man, often dragging a friend, neighbour or one of the kids on their precious visits, artifacting, berry picking or simply enjoying the ride and exploring every dirt road he came across.  His enjoyment of lake life and the outdoors truly knew no bounds.

Upon his retirement in 2006, he and Pat began a new adventure, the long awaited opportunity to finally spend precious time with his much loved and missed children in California.  Winters were now spent exploring the rock and sand trails of Johnson Valley, tinkering with his 1966 Scout, and, best of all, spending time with the kids and their friends, becoming honorary dad to many of them, helping out with projects, teaching and mentoring, and just hanging out.  These were indeed the most soul satisfying times of all.

As his years advanced, his youthfulness seemed to grow.  His charm was ageless, and folks of all ages sought out his friendship, advice and assistance.  Larry was a force to be reckoned with, and the hearts of those of us who loved him are broken.  Words cannot express how deeply and widely his loss will be felt, but those who knew him and felt his love have incredible memories that will sustain us, connect us and unite us in celebration of the man he was to all of us.

Many thanks to the EMS and RCMP for all the care and compassion they showed towards our family.  Special thanks to Dr. Robert Kroeker and Dr. Selena Papetti for the special care they showed Larry.
As he wished, a celebration of his life will be held for friends and family, at a time when we can safely gather again to share stories and a Rum and Coke in his honour.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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