Larry Reeb of Lambton County died peacefully on December 18, 2021, at the age of 77 from a long battle with Parkinson’s.
Larry was born on April 8, 1944, to Lawrence and Isobel Reeb. The oldest of five, Larry was raised on a farm in Es County where he honed his farming chops by helping his father and uncle raise beef cattle and cash crops.
After graduating from Es High School, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and spent three years stationed at the Zweibrëcken Air Base in Germany as a Military Police Officer with the canine unit.
Upon returning to Canada, he married and moved to Lambton County, working for a few years with Dow Chemical while taking night courses to became licensed in the sheet metal trade. Eventually, he moved his family to a cash crop and horse farm outside of Wyoming, ON. There he put to use his handyman skills and built a farmhouse. In this time he indulged in his lifelong love of horses, raising standard-breds and becoming a part of the sulky racing circuit for several years with Riddoch Raceway. An adventurous child at heart, Larry always enjoyed obtaining “toys” from rollerblades to go-carts to snowmobiles to dirt bikes to tractors. Eventually he moved off the farm and began his own fabrication business (Timist Fabrications) that his son, Tim, now runs.
Larry had a strong belief in giving to his local community and he demonstrated that by sitting on the board of the credit union, taking a turn as school PTA president and coaching minor hockey and baseball. Even in his final years at North Lambton Lodge, he advocated for residents as the President of the Resident’s Council.
After retiring, Larry relished in his role as “Papa” spending hours blowing bubbles, watching hockey and soccer and treating his grandkids to an endless supply of Timbits. If he wasn’t with his grandkids, he was on the golf course, one of his favourite places to simply be.
Larry was a lover of Popular Mechanics magazines, old Westerns, all things Star Trek and snacks. The man always appreciated a quality snack. He was an innovator with his crockpot recipes, reveled in a bowl of popcorn with more butter than was good for him and could make a mean grilled tomato and cheese sandwich.
Larry is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Neil, brother-in-law, Larry and great-nephew, Jonathan. He is survived by his sisters Joan (Larry) Ross, Ruth (Chris) Polegato and Mary-Lou as well as his children Tim (Teresa) Reeb, Mike Reeb and Stephanie (Mike) Konstantinou. His beloved four grandchildren Ryan, Tristan, Ruby and Lily and great-grandchildren Nova, Kove and Stoan will miss their “Papa/Big-Papa” greatly. He is also fondly remembered and missed by his former wife, Marguerite (Muff) Reeb, his loyal friend and golf partner, Don Salisbury and a plethora of delightful nieces and nephews.
A special, deeply heartfelt thank you to the staff of North Lambton Lodge in Forest, especially those on Oak Court for their tremendous and loving care of Larry, despite his sometimes cantankerous ways. Your affection and kindness gave him joy and a feeling of belonging that comforted him and lent grace to those difficult final months. Thank you also to the staff and students at Kinnwood Central Public School for their (pre-covid) programs that brought the students to the nursing home. Those activities, especially the reading program gave Larry more happiness and purpose than you can ever know. His whole being always lit up when he shared about his experiences with the students.
Cremation has taken place and the family will hold a private graveside service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity that is meaningful to you and your family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Larry Walter Reeb April 4th 1944 December 18th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario