Lawrence Thomas Ferlan
Obituary
Lawrence Thomas Ferlan died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 3, 2023 in Federal Way, WA following a brief battle with esophageal cancer.
Larry was born on August 20, 1959 in Pittsburgh, PA to Dr. Lawrence and Joan Ferlan. The first-born of seven children, Larry grew up in Natrona Heights, PA, graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in 1977. He attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Art to study photography, then enlisted in the Navy, serving honorably for six years, which took him to the west coast where he embraced a life-style that encouraged adventure. He found a job he loved as a commercial driver for Airgas, earning the “Safe Driver” award for ten years and a Certificate of Excellence. Larry was always grateful for the camaraderie of his coworkers who also became his good friends.
Larry had a number of hobbies: For years, he was a member of a group of “formation” skydivers, earning a “Gold Wings” expert parachutist badge. After two thousand jumps without incident, he felt that he was pushing his luck and stopped that particular hobby. But he had others – Larry loved to scuba-dive at exotic locations around the world and used his underwater photography skills in building an impressive collection of breathtaking photos of sea creatures large and small. He enjoyed mountain biking (until his second clavicle break), exploring Canada, had an impressive beer can collection (over 500), and loved progressive rock music – especially the British prog rock groups – King Crimson, Gentle Giant, and Porcupine Tree to name a few. Larry was quite knowledgeable about them, even driving around in his beloved van whose side panels were airbrushed with some of his favorite album covers. He played bass guitar and loved playing along with recordings of some of his favorite groups. Larry indeed marched to the beat of his own drum – the beat was probably 9/8.
Larry was an exceptional cook and connoisseur of the cuisines of many different nations – making his own ice cream and beer, introducing his siblings to his favorite local restaurants and ethnic dishes, and sharing his famous home-made root beer cookies with friends and family.
Larry was preceded in death by his younger brother, Michael (2014) and his father, Lawrence (2020). He is survived by his mother, Joan, and his siblings, Paul (Becky Ewing), of Charlottesville, VA; Mary (Ed Erway), of Lexington, KY; Virginia, of Windsor, CT; Katherine (Andrew) Jackson, of Woodbridge, CT; and Mark, of Bedford, NH; nieces and nephews, Stuart Erway, Michelle (Chris) Erway Williams, Brett (Kristin) Erway; Elizabeth, Michael, Gigi and Matt Machon; Claire, Emily and Drew Jackson; Jack and Audrey Ferlan; and great-nieces and nephews in KY.
Larry’s family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for all his friends on both coasts who were so helpful during his last few months.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Allegheny Valley YMCA (vpfymca.org) or the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches (avaoc.org). Larry loved his hometown and would like knowing some good was being done there.
Funeral mass to be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 12:30pm, Guardian Angels Parish – Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065.
Larry was truly a wonderful person. Once you got him going on a subject he loved you couldn’t get him to stop talking. He will be missed by all.
I have enjoyed knowing you Larry. You will truely be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Rest in peace, Larry, we’ll miss you
Thank you Larry for always brightening my day with baked goods and interesting conversation. Rest in Peace my sweet friend, you will be missed.
Loved him like a brother, meet he and George Wilson on Spoil sport in early 1990’s and have always keep in touch although being for the other side of the earth 🌍 It was always a joy to catch up when we could anywhere on the planet.
May his light always shine bright.
I was on my way to catch up again but time has beaten us this time.
Love you mate see you on me next deep dive
RIP dear cousin Larry. I will always remember you especially those amazing underwear photos you took.
💔🖤Will always remember cousin Larry’s joyful way, his pictures up in the sky and his Wenceslao of adventure.🩵💫🙏🏼We The de Leon Lavin family send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to our mother’s cousin Joan (Lavin) Ferlan and the whole family for this heartbreaking loss 🙏🏼🌈🖤💔🤍Tengo recuerdos tan gratos del primo Larry y su forma tan jovial de ser. Le puedo imaginar volando por las nubes o sumergido en el mar tomando sus fotografías fantásticas sin sufrir 🥹🙏🏼🤍 rezando y pidiendo por toda la familia!
We always enjoyed and looked forward to Larry coming in to our Dental Office. He shared his adventures and even would bring us goodies from his home town. He will be missed.
Larry always brought a smile, stories (and snacks!) in with him to our Dental office. We will sure miss his visits; our thoughts are with all of Larry’s family and friends.
Rip larry, bula vinaka
Larry skydived with us in California for a number of years. We were on a 16 way team where 4 of us wore red, 4 blue, 4 yellow and 4 white. Larry and I were in the red sector and we always had a blast. Larry loved to bring us Rolling Rock Beer before it was sold on the west coast. He was always smiling and he made us smile with him. We loved him.
You will be missed. RIP Larry .
We knew Larry from the Nitrox days, then Airgas acquired Nitrox. Larry went to Tacoma and I went to Renton. I would see him occasionally when he had to make a delivery at the Renton plant. The last time I saw him, he was having an issue. We will miss you, Larry.
Larry was a great employee at Nitrox for many years then continuing at Airgas. I still have underwater prints of his. Truly will be missed
Mark- Sparx
Met Larry via my good mate Muzza here in Echuca Australia, he was ALWAYS up for a laugh and an ale, had fun chasing the Roos and always looked forward to his Christmas card as funny and shocking they were 🤣
May Larry now Rest in Peace 🙏🏻🤿
Larry was a funny guy. I would see him from time to time in Kirkland at Marsh Park. We had a lot of great conversations of favorite bands and his photo adventures in the world. Great guy, he will be dearly missed.
I knew Larry for many years thru his work at Airgas, it was always a bright spot to visit with him and hear of his latest adventures.for some reason he loved to play practical jokes on me…I’ll truly miss him. Love to all his family which he spoke of with admiration.