Lawrence (Larry) Paul Bauer, 79 of Vancouver B.C., son of the late Robert Lawrence Bauer and late Dorothy Estelle Bauer (née Harper) of Moncton N.B. passed away suddenly in Vancouver on Wednesday, 14th June 2023.
Larry is pre-deceased by a twin brother who died at four years of age, 'brothers and sisters-in-law' Bruno, Jack (Cinci), and Phillip Morgan, Eileen, Delicate, and Anna Sharkey. Larry is survived by his partner in life, Robert Morgan of Vancouver B.C., with whom he shared 44 years of love and devotion, along with sister-in-law Maryon (Marcus) MacRae, and a number or cousins, nieces, and nephews-in-law.
Larry was born in Moncton N.B., and attended Queen Street & Mountain Road Elementary, then Moncton High School, graduating in 1961. Larry attended teacher's college in Fredricton N.B.. He pursued further studies leading to a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of New Brunswick. He also undertook French studies at the University of Montréal.
At a young age, Larry took lessons in figure skating, becoming a proficient and talented skater. His skills lead to an opportunity to skate professionally in the chorus of Ice Capades—a popular traveling show, characterized by theatrical performances, featuring International, Olympic, and US skaters.
Larry began his teaching career in St-John N.B.. From there he took up a teaching position in Wabush Labrador, where he stayed for two years. In 1970, Larry journeyed west to Osoyoos B.C. in the Okanagan, taking a teaching position at Osoyoos Elementary & Junior Secondary school and later at the new Osoyoos Secondary School. In 1983, Larry began teaching at the Talmud-Torah School in Vancouver B.C., until his retirement in 2006.
While teaching French, Drama, and Theatre at Osoyoos Secondary, Larry mounted one-act plays and had his students participate in drama festivals and productions—some being selected for the Provincial Drama Festivals. Drawing on his professional Ice Capades experience, Larry also taught figure skating to youth ranging in age from pre-teen to teen. At the end of each year his students would stage ice skating productions, delighting local audiences.
In his years at Talmud-Torah, teaching French, Theatre & Drama from primary to grade seven, Larry staged and directed many drama productions, including musicals (working with Jill Davies and Alison Bennett). Larry's students always looked forward to theatre and drama class. He was highly respected throughout his career at this school by staff, students, and parents. One of Larry's more notable students was comedian and actor, Seth Rogen, now a successful celebrity on stage and screen in Hollywood. Larry shared many stories about Seth's emerging creativity, comic genius, and acting talents during his formative years.
During his teaching career and even after retirement, Larry and his partner, Robert acted as coordinators and organizers of seven annual Drama Conferences sponsored by the Association of B.C. Drama Educators (ABCDE). These occasions were enriching and educational and always a highlight for the secondary and elementary school teachers—especially the Drama and Acting teachers.
Throughout his life, Larry also had a great love of music, and was a talented, self-taught pianist—playing by ear. He had a distinct and appealing singing voice, able to perfectly harmonize with other singers.
Over the years Larry and Robert welcomed many people into their West End, Vancouver home for dinners and gatherings. The couple were especially known for their annual, fully-decorated 'Valentine's Delight' parties hosted over 25 years. They welcomed couples and singles for warm, lively fellowship in the celebration of love, with a lavish spread of delicious foods: hors d'oeuvres on a buffet table replete with Larry's famous Caesar Salad, 'imported' Honey Baked Ham, wines and the famous Valentine's punch (with a kick), and desserts—sometimes Key Lime Pie or Larry's Cheesecake, but always the Rainbow & Valentine's Delight sheet cake.
After retirement from education, Larry and Robert went on numerous cruises with Celebrity Cruise Lines visiting Alaska, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South and Central America, and Hawaii. They found the cruise experience exciting and educational—opening them to various areas of the world and giving them an opportunity to meet people from around the world, some of whom became friends and with whom they stayed in contact with over the years. Larry also maintained close contact with his teacher colleagues, friends, and family across Canada, the US, and South Africa.
Larry, a devout Catholic had a great devotion to Divine Mercy, reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily. Larry was blessed with the Sacrament of Healing many times over the past few years which gave him great solace and comfort and numerous graces. Larry and Robert became members of the Parish of Saint-Mark, on the grounds of the University of British Columbia—a place where they felt spiritually uplifted. A number of friendships were developed there. In time they became involved in the ministry of recruiting and scheduling Lectors' assignments for the parish.
In 2019, Larry experienced a setback to his health, suffering a stroke which was not impairing. Due to high blood pressure, his kidneys were affected which ultimately led to life-sustaining kidney dialysis in early 2022 and lasting until his passing in June 2023.
Throughout the past few years, Larry was diligent in sending e-mail updates to all his friends and family writing about his and Robert's daily activities—reflecting on the challenges of dialysis; recounting their dining experiences and their travels in spite of health restrictions. His latest updates chronicled his trips to California. All who received Larry's familiar "ALL CAPS" updates looked forward to receiving them. Whether in person or through his sunny updates, Larry was a great story teller, with an uplifting, positive, and entertaining delivery.
Larry was a truly caring, kind, thoughtful and giving person, and a devoted son. Each summer, Larry would return to Moncton, N.B. to support his father and mother until their passing, caring especially for his mother who suffered a stroke in 1989.
As one of his teaching colleagues shared ..."Larry was an incredibly warm, creative, and considerate man—always full of great stories and much laughter." A friend said, ..."Larry was a role model to them, with such a good attitude to life and its challenges."
Always concerned about the well-being of others, caring especially for his partner in life, Robert Morgan, Larry will be deeply missed by all who knew him—and most of all, by his beloved partner, Robert.
Thanks are expressed to a number of the nursing staff in the Renal Dept. at Saint-Paul's Hospital who administered dialysis to Larry over the past two years, and to the Nephrologists who were involved in his care, particularly Dr. Mercedes Kiaii and Dr. Brad Witsyk.
Funeral services are on Saturday 24th of June, 2023 at the Parish of St-Mark (on the campus of UBC), 5935 Iona Dr. Vancouver BC V6T 2L2 Tel: (604) 822-0261
Visitation: 10:00am till 10:45am
Saying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 10:35am
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00am with Father Rob Allore, presider
A live-stream of the ceremony: https://www.legacystreaming.com/kearney/
An archived video of the funeral: youtube.com/watch?v=lA9JvCyhof8
Memorials of choice may be made in Larry's honor.
Internment will be at Mountain View Cemetery at a future date.
Arrangements made by Kearney Funeral Services, 450 W. 2nd Ave. Vancouver BC
Tel: (604) 736-0268