Larry K. Sherling Obituary

11/16/41-3/29/24.

SP/5 Larry K. Sherling, SR. US Army Vietnam Veteran met with our divine Lord and his precious children and grandson at 2:10 AM on Good Friday. A beloved husband, dad extraordinaire, loving grandpa, godfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to so many more than can be recalled, truly fought the good fight but finally got the peace and painless rest he so richly deserved. The first-born to Bertie and Kal in Tonasket, WA, growing up on a farm in the Molson Valley, Larry learned a work ethic like no other which he carried through his entire life. He enlisted in the Army right after high school, and while stationed in Redstone Arsenal AL, was asked if he wanted to join a "Pen-Pal" registry of people writing to our soldiers away from home. He agreed, and after a few months a friend from NYC asked several guys to join him on a weekend pass to the city to meet some of these "pals", and that's when his love story began (11/11/61). Larry called his beloved Toni that night and asked for a date the next day and an instant connection was made that has lasted for 63+ years. While stationed in Korea, he bought the engagement ring at the PX ("it was cheaper there") but didn't want her to wait to wear it, so he sent it through U.S. customs. He returned (to NY) Nov. 1963 & they married July 4th, 1964 (this year celebrating 60 years.) Larry's volunteering would probably fill a book from that point on; rising through the ranks to Capt. of the Drill Team (Jos. B Garity American Legion Post, Ridgewood, NY), coaching CYO basketball for his" little" brothers-in-law, being asked to be cub scout master at St. Stan's in Maspeth (his oldest son was 3) – "as long as you need me" lasted for 10 years. Then just before being transferred to Florida, he took the kids to a Christmas show by the Blue Max Drum & Bugle Corps at St. Matthias parish in Ridgewood & they all "got bit", making him the classic "Drum Corps Dad.". For 2 years he stored up all of his IBM vacation time, and for 6 to 8 weeks during the summer, drove the food truck and cooked for & fed over 100 kids 3 meals a day, loving every minute. Once in Endicott (1987) he continued coaching CYO basketball at St. Joe's & was Scout Master at St. Ambrose, as well as serving two terms as Grand Knight of the MSGR Fries Council #1839 Knights of Columbus, and years as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club, retiring with 32 years of service in 1998 & then drove a school bus for Vestal until his second bout with cancer ended his employment days in 2006. Then the fun began; line dancing at least twice a week, Tuesday morning breakfast with his best (fellow retiree) buds, Ray, Lee & Dave at Pantheon Restaurant, volunteering to cook breakfast ("the best meal of the day") at Mercy House, and most recently, riding the BC lift with another best bud, Jerry, for trips to the "Y", favorite eateries, & Broome West Senior Center. No wonder his heart just finally wore out! Larry is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years Toni, his never-ending source of pride, his daughters, Justine Drew, Jill Sherling, & Jessica (David) Silvanic, Daughter-in-law Suzanne Sherling, his sons, Larry (Marie), Damian (Stacy), & John (Alli), fourteen granddaughters, three grandsons, and five great-grandsons, countless nieces, nephews, & cousins, his sister Carol Gales & brother Gordon (Alonna), & 2 bothers-in-law, Bill Nichols & Bob Freitag. Pre-deceased by his babies Carl & Cathy (1967), his precious son Cory (2012), daughter Jaimie (2023), & Grandson Dillion (2020). At this time, the family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Sanjiv Patel, not just his PCP, but the most loving & caring "family" friend & mentor, who without his devotion, we wouldn't have had at least the last 15 years. We all thank you so very much for helping (God) keep our husband & dad with us. Larry's last instructions to us: "No tears, just CELEBRATE my life- it's been awesome!". Visitation will be Thursday 4/4/24 from 5 to 7 PM at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home on Main St. in Endicott. Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday 4/5/24 at St. Ambrose Church on Washington Ave. in Endicott.

To know him was certainly to love him.