Posted on 05/18/2018
Larry Thomas Farnquist died Tuesday, May 15, at the age of 77. He was born in Sault Ste. Marie on March 20, 1941, the first of three sons to Ted and Jean Farnquist.
Larry attended Sault Schools, graduating from Sault High in 1959. He attended plebe year at the US Naval Academy and eventually earned a teaching degree from Northern Michigan University after service in the US Marine Corps Reserve and three years in the US Army as a bandsman. He then taught English and History at Sault High for 12 years, followed by a 20-year career with the US Customs Service.
Larry was very active in the local musical community. He played trumpet for many years in numerous groups – the Sault Symphony, the Sault Swing Band, many musical stage productions on both sides of the river, the Steeltown Silver Band, the Canadian Legion Drum and Trumpet Band, and the ""Happy Days"" ensemble, which played every Wednesday afternoon at the Canadian Legion. Larry also sang in several choral groups, including the Mary Wood Chorus, the Algoma Chamber Singers, and the Festival Choir in Sault, Ontario. Besides music, his other loves were of history, literature, photography, and travel.
He is survived by his daughter Susan (Michael) Maher of Aptos, CA; daughter Janice Armstrong of Pontiac, MI; and son Alan (Jessica) Farnquist of Paw Paw, MI. Also surviving him are grandchildren Ashlynn, Aiden, Alec, Shea, Sadie, Anderson, and Calson. Larry is also survived by brothers Thomas (Christine) Farnquist of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; and Theodore (Rose) Farnquist of Cadillac, MI. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Petra Farnquist, Joseph and Gladys Wade, and by his parents, Ted and Jean Farnquist.
Memorial Services arrangements will be handled by CS Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Visitation will begin at noon, May 19, with a brief service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sault Symphony Orchestra.
Condolences may be left online at http://www.csmulder.com
Published in Sault Ste. Marie Evening News on May 18, 2018