Obituary
WAGAR, LARRY ARNOLD
April 15, 1948 – April 27, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we must report the unexpected death of Larry Wagar in the ICU of NRGH following a brief hospitalization due to a fall. His wife and dogs were at his bedside when he passed. The hospital staff, especially in the ICU, were kind, compassionate and supportive.
Larry was born in Calgary to parents Clifford “Cliff” and Winnifred “Freddie” Wagar but grew up in the Rycroft area of Northern Alberta when Cliff claimed farmland offered to WW2 service people as part of the Lassiter Project. Freddie and Larry both said it was a hard life, especially during the first few years, but also profoundly fulfilling. Larry attended school, helped on the farm, and began work in the oil and gas industry. His first hope was to be a pilot like Cliff but he needed glasses to see well enough and this disqualified him. He instead pursued his second love of problem solving and fixing things, so he apprenticed for his automotive mechanics certification.
Larry eventually moved to Calgary to join his boyhood friend Henry “Hank” Gwinn who had joined the fire department and also started a Construction business. In 1987 he met his spouse to be, Eleanor Lord. Larry felt the automotive mechanics trade was becoming less about problem solving and repair and more about snapping replacement parts in at the direction of a computer diagnostics program. He switched over to Heavy Duty Mechanics and received his Red Seal Certification in that trade also. Larry and Eleanor retired to Nanaimo, BC in 2008.
Larry was predeceased by parents Cliff Wagar and Freddie Wagar (nee: Wood), his brother Dean Wagar, father and mother in-law Frank and Isabelle Lord and sister-in-law Audrey Lord. He will be lovingly remembered by his spouse of 33 years, Eleanor, sister-in-law Karen Wagar, cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends. Larry especially enjoyed gathering with his friends. He had an uncanny ability to reach people on a deep and positive level. He rarely met a stranger that he could not make welcome or an animal that he could not befriend. He was a lifelong member of the Legion, Aerospace Museum, and fraternal organizations like the S.W.A.B.S. In Nanaimo he became a member of the Lantzville Legion and the Royal Order of the Buffalos. He enjoyed volunteering for the Legion Poppy Drive, VIEX, and the Buffalos fund raising activities.
Cremation has been carried out by Telford, Toneff & Boyd, Nanaimo. A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 257, at 7225 Lantzville Road, on Saturday June 25 starting at 2 PM. The Service will be conducted by Ann Marie Smith, Service Officer R.C.L. 257 followed by time to reminisce, support each other, and share our special Larry stories. –
Because Cliff lost his hand in a combining accident the family received a lot of help and support from the War Amps. Larry believed that they were an especially worthy charity. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the War Amps in Larry’s memory. www.waramps.ca 1-800-250-3030
To send flowers to Larry’s family, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Larry Arnold Wagar April 15 1948 April 27 2022 (age 74)..
Telford, Toneff and Boyd Burial and Cremation Centres
Décès pour la Ville: Nanaimo, Province: Colombie britanique