Obituary for Lawrence George Garbarino
Lawrence George Garbarino, age 82, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
Larry was born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 15, 1940, the fourth child of six to Victor and Eleanor (Detling) Garbarino. He and his siblings were raised in Detroit and attended Southeastern High School.
Larry met Virginia (Sockow) Mendenhall through her hairdresser, and often visited where she worked at a local pub. After having his eye on her a while, he finally asked her out. They married in Walled Lake on February 29, 1969, and later settled in Detroit to raise their two daughters, Kim and Cindy.
Larry devoted much of his life to Weldcraft Fabricating, as a welder, purchaser, foreman and plant manager. After living in Canton for several years, in 1983 Larry and Jinny bought a house in Wayne. In the meantime, he had begun working for Idea Engineering, and eventually retired from World Class Engineering in 2007. In the Fall of that year, Larry moved in with his daughter, Kim, where he enjoyed reading the paper on the deck, working on household projects and hanging out his dog and their cats.
Later on, Larry kept his mind active with games like Sudoku and Angry Birds, and watching Gunsmoke on TV. His cat, Adrianna, slept next to him every chance she got, and he enjoyed the company of the family dogs, especially while Kim was at work. Larry looked forward to monthly dinners on the East Side with his siblings. He was a kind soul who entertained everyone around him – his family, friends, even his doctors and nurses – with witty remarks and jokes.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 32 years, Virginia Garbarino; his daughter, Cynthia Pickens; his parents, Victor and Eleanor Garbarino; his brother, Raymond Garbarino; his brothers-in-law, Norman Cozza and Tom Cuthbertson; and his sisters-in-law, Rose Garbarino and Luanne Andruczk.
Larry will be deeply missed by his daughter, Kim Mendenhall; his granddaughter, Crystal Pickens; his siblings, Gerald Garbarino, Madeline Cozza, Victor Garbarino Jr., and Dolores Cuthbertson; his sister-in-law, Sherry Garbarino; his sister- and brother-in-law, Claudia and Don Szerlag; and, of course, a house full of furry family will miss his cuddles.
Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Nie Family Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor. Family and friends will be invited to contribute to a Sharing of Memories service which will begin at 12:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to Detroit Goodfellows. This organization held a special place in Larry’s heart as he and his siblings were recipients of their Christmas gift program.
Larry was born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 15, 1940, the fourth child of six to Victor and Eleanor (Detling) Garbarino. He and his siblings were raised in Detroit and attended Southeastern High School.
Larry met Virginia (Sockow) Mendenhall through her hairdresser, and often visited where she worked at a local pub. After having his eye on her a while, he finally asked her out. They married in Walled Lake on February 29, 1969, and later settled in Detroit to raise their two daughters, Kim and Cindy.
Larry devoted much of his life to Weldcraft Fabricating, as a welder, purchaser, foreman and plant manager. After living in Canton for several years, in 1983 Larry and Jinny bought a house in Wayne. In the meantime, he had begun working for Idea Engineering, and eventually retired from World Class Engineering in 2007. In the Fall of that year, Larry moved in with his daughter, Kim, where he enjoyed reading the paper on the deck, working on household projects and hanging out his dog and their cats.
Later on, Larry kept his mind active with games like Sudoku and Angry Birds, and watching Gunsmoke on TV. His cat, Adrianna, slept next to him every chance she got, and he enjoyed the company of the family dogs, especially while Kim was at work. Larry looked forward to monthly dinners on the East Side with his siblings. He was a kind soul who entertained everyone around him – his family, friends, even his doctors and nurses – with witty remarks and jokes.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 32 years, Virginia Garbarino; his daughter, Cynthia Pickens; his parents, Victor and Eleanor Garbarino; his brother, Raymond Garbarino; his brothers-in-law, Norman Cozza and Tom Cuthbertson; and his sisters-in-law, Rose Garbarino and Luanne Andruczk.
Larry will be deeply missed by his daughter, Kim Mendenhall; his granddaughter, Crystal Pickens; his siblings, Gerald Garbarino, Madeline Cozza, Victor Garbarino Jr., and Dolores Cuthbertson; his sister-in-law, Sherry Garbarino; his sister- and brother-in-law, Claudia and Don Szerlag; and, of course, a house full of furry family will miss his cuddles.
Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Nie Family Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor. Family and friends will be invited to contribute to a Sharing of Memories service which will begin at 12:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to Detroit Goodfellows. This organization held a special place in Larry’s heart as he and his siblings were recipients of their Christmas gift program.