Lawrence Michael "Larry" Joanis' Obituary
Lawrence (Larry) Michael Joanis, age 75, of Tavares, Florida passed away Friday, August 28, 2015 surrounded by his family.
Larry was born on September 16, 1939 in Hartford, Connecticut to Lawrence Alfred Joanis and Mary Callan Joanis. He was a 1959 graduate of Hartford High School and joined the Navy in 1960 where he studied as an Aviation-Electrician. He was honorably discharged in 1964.
He worked at Hamilton Standard, a division of United Technologies, for several decades before he retired. Prior to that, he worked as a Forest Ranger.
Larry was loved by all of his family and leaves his sisters, Dorothy Theriault and her husband, Vernon of Tavares and Lorraine Roberts and her husband, Wayne of Tavares. He leaves his nephew, Michael Theriault and two nieces, Dawn Filippa and her husband, Frank of Enfield, Connecticut and their children, Cameron and Brendan Lawlor and Carina Filippa, Nicolas (Nico) Filippa (pre-deceased), Tracy Urso and her husband, Paul, also of Enfield, Connecticut and their children, Zachary, Cassandra and Gabriella. He also leaves his Aunt Ethel Aubin and several cousins.
Larry was a champion weight lifter and won the Bronze Medal for Team USA at the Goodwill Games in Russia in 1994. In 1989 he won the USPF Regional Natural National Powerlifting Championship and many other awards.
Larry was a gifted artist and loved to sketch and paint animals. He had a great love of the outdoors. He enjoyed boating, kayaking with his cousins and fishing with his cousin, Ron and his nephew, Michael. He loved playing with his great nephews and nieces and taught them how to sketch. He was also an avid pool player and loved to watch the UCONN Husky Men and Women's games. He also loved to watch westerns.
The family wants to thank all of his doctors and care givers and especially Cornerstone Hospice of Tavares.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, September 4 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. A memorial ceremony will start at 4:00 pm. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.
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