Lawrence "Larry" Paul Whissell

Lawrence "Larry" Whissell departed this life in the early hours of Thursday, July 18th, at Mississauga Hospital. He was taken to the hospital following a fainting spell on Tuesday morning, and his sudden passing 48 hours later has left us in a state of disbelief. We take comfort in knowing that his period of suffering was brief and that family and friends surrounded him in his final hours.

Larry is remembered by his children, Byron and Shane (Corinne); his siblings, Lorraine, Suzanne, Phil (Heather), Gisele (Tyler), Paul (Louisa), and Christine (Chris); his numerous nieces and nephews; his cat Princess; and a multitude of friends he cultivated within the funeral service community and beyond over the past decades. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Cécile, his beloved life partner and best friend, Georgette, and his sister Louise and brothers-in-law Don Wilsack and Don Peachy.

Larry's life was a tapestry of diverse experiences, from his early days as a milkman and a security guard at the Greater Niagara General Hospital to owning a café in Toronto's Kensington Market. However, it was in his role as a celebrant that he truly found his calling, leaving behind a legacy of love and service and dedicating himself to crafting heartfelt tributes for those who had passed. He had a particular passion for his work with unclaimed individuals, and his dedication was recognized through numerous interviews with newspapers and journalists throughout the years. Larry held the belief that every person, regardless of social or economic status, deserved to be laid to rest with respect and compassion. Larry also extended his support to those enduring grief, offering free bereavement counselling to anyone who needed it. His dedication to people and his commitment to ensuring dignified farewells will be remembered by all who knew him.

Larry will be permanently etched in our memories for his unconventional humour, which often skirted the edges of controversy, and for his unmistakable raspy voice, which carried a laugh as hearty as his boisterous cough. Beyond these personal quirks, it was Larry's commanding presence that truly captured the essence of his being. He had a rare ability to captivate any room, holding the attention of all with his magnetic force. His sincerity shone through in every interaction, a beacon of authenticity.

At the core of Larry's memorable persona was his profound love for helping others. He believed in the inherent worth of every individual. He dedicated his life to ensuring that each person, regardless of their circumstances, was accorded the dignity and respect they deserved, from their final moments at the hospital bedside to the last prayers at their graveside. His compassionate spirit, coupled with his larger-than-life character, will truly be his legacy.

A Memorial Service will be held in Larry’s honour at the Long Branch Legion 101, 3850 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Etobicoke, Ontario, on Thursday, July 25th, at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the Long Branch Legion 101 in Larry's honour or contributing a tray of food for the post-service gathering.

Additionally, we invite you to bring your pop-can tabs to the service. Larry always requested these to support TABS FOR WHEELCHAIRS. We will collect the tabs at the Legion on Thursday.

Following the event, there will be a cash bar at the venue. Guests are welcome to stay, connect, and share their memories of Larry.