Claude Lawrence Morrison, known to friends and family simply as “Larry,” died April 20, 2023 at the age of 78, following a short battle with cancer. Born in Vancouver, Larry moved to Richmond in 1974 with his wife, Pat, where they raised two daughters, Samantha and Michelle (Jason). Larry was known for his love of baseball as an athlete, coach, and avid Blue Jays Fan. He translated his passion to coaching with Richmond Girls Softball and served as President of the organization. Working as a sound technician, Larry acquired a deep and wide-ranging appreciation for music. Discovering his admiration for sound quality at a young age, much of his free time was spent gathering friends and family to host listening parties on the deck of their Riverdale Drive home. Larry was also a member of Local 213 Electrical Workers Union, advocating for fair compensation and working conditions.
His crowning achievement as a public servant came in the development of the softball complex at the Steveston-London park, which he championed for the better part of a decade. Once there, he continued to imbue confidence in hundreds of young players, until his eventual retirement from coaching in 2013. Following a stroke in the same year, Larry demonstrated his unyielding strength, recovering beyond a doctor’s most generous estimations. He enjoyed hosting: inviting friends and family over for Christmas Eve open houses, and afternoon happy hours. Some of his favourite guests included his grandchildren, who would spin vinyl on his record player, play with his flight simulator, and steal candy out of his fridge. Zachary, Isabel, and Nathan have a profound appreciation for the time they spent with their grandfather, who was a constant participant in their various achievements. Larry will be remembered for his affinity for chardonnay and clubhouse sandwiches, his signature moustache, and the catalyst for many memorable evenings.