Lawrence “Larry” Wood, 81

Lawrence “Larry” Wood’s great sense of humor, his generosity and zest for life, as well as his loyalty to family and friends, will keep his memory alive in the hearts of the many family members and friends he has left behind.

Larry died in Wolcott, Colorado on June 30, 2023, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 81. He was the only child of Lawrence A. Wood and Laurayne Martineau. He was born in Tupper Lake, a small, picturesque town in the center of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

A few years after Larry’s birth on January 20, 1942, Laurayne developed a protracted illness and Larry was cared for by various aunts and uncles for a while, and ultimately lived with his grandmother, Ida Wood, along with another cousin, Patricia Wood.

He had many loving aunts and uncles, 15 first cousins, and many more cousins born over the years.

He gained a stepsister, Rebecca "Becky Ross, when his father married again, to Edythe Ross, in 1972.

Larry attended local schools, and his impulsive and fun-loving nature captured the hearts of many. He graduated from Tupper Lake High School, and graduated from Paul Smiths College, then entered the U.S. Army for two years. An avid snow skier, he moved to Vail, Colorado to cruise the softer, sweeter snow there in 1962. He was a talented and popular ski instructor at Vail Mt. for many years.

Larry developed a security and fire alarm systems business which became widely respected in the Vail region. In later years, Larry moved to the Eagle Creek area and worked as a security guard and taxi driver.

Larry loved discovery and adventure. He became a very discerning and apt amateur archaeologist and a proficient ham radio operator (beginning in high school,) activities which deeply widened his circle of devoted and loyal Colorado and world-wide buddies.

Friends and relatives from Tupper Lake who traveled to Colorado to visit Larry to ski, party and enjoy the scenery were treated to motorcycle trips through the desert and hikes throughout Colorado and Utah, searching for hidden treasures.

Due to his kindness and enthusiasm, every visit was an experience that became a favorite lifetime memory.

In recent years, Larry lived in the Wolcott, Colorado area where he spent much of his time at his favorite place, his trailer on an acquaintance’s ranch. He spent time with local friends, too many to count. Many of them posted to Larry's social platform, after his death, to say how "generous, and kind- hearted..." he was and to state that every time he entered Bush Creek Bar & Saloon, he was met with "immense joy" and open arms.

Larry will be greatly missed in his hometown in the Adirondacks, and by friends scattered throughout his beloved Colorado. Fond smiles will accompany every shared story about Larry, his many escapades, his easygoing ways, and his loving nature.