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Lawrence (Larry) Howard Coy
February 29th, 1944 - December 18th, 2020
February 29th, 1944 - December 18th, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Howard Coy (Larry Coy) on December 18, 2020, at The Californian of Santa Barbara, where he had lived for several years. Larry was 76 years old.
Larry was born on leap year, February 29, 1944, in Santa Barbara. He spent his childhood in Santa Barbara, including at the Trout Club on San Marcos Pass where he developed a deep love of nature. He was in the first graduating class of San Marcos High School, where he was a gifted athlete, and graduated from UCSB with a degree in Sociology in 1966. From 1966-1968 he and his wife, Susan, were Peace Corps Volunteers in Venezuela, where he became fluent in Spanish, a language he loved and continued to speak the rest of his life. His first child, Adriana, was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1968. His second child, Matt, and second daughter, Amy, were born in Santa Barbara.
Larry was a probation officer and director of the Juvenile Hall in Santa Barbara, counseling and guiding many young men and women. He later became a Realtor and property developer, selling property throughout the state of California, and frequently volunteered at the Santa Barbara Visitor Center before retiring due to health issues.
Larry leaves his loving children, Adriana (Tim) Stavish, Matthew (Dani) Coy and Amy Lee Coy (John, dec.) Bardi; his former wife and longtime friend Susan Scolastico; his grandchildren, Anthony (Aubry) Coy, Bradley Coy (dec.), Dylan Stavish, Allison Stavish, and Bennett Coy; his great-grandson, Alexander Coy; and his sister, Cathy (Don, dec.) Adams and her two daughters, Laura and Heather.
Larry’s family would especially like to thank the wonderful staff of The Californian of Santa Barbara skilled nursing facility, where he was kindly cared for in the last years of his life until his passing.
Larry was a kind, caring, and creative man, known for his innovative ideas, sense of humor, and ability to weather difficult situations with grace. He was much loved and will be very missed by friends and family.
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Tributes
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Mary Lee
Matt, you certainly were passed the kindness gene from your dad. Thank you for sharing him with those of us who did not get to meet him. I still have the card he sent through you to us at work, all about kindness and being a thoughtful person. Thinking of you and your family as your hearts continues to heal.
Lady Of The Forest
Larry was a great guy...he gave me wonderful advice. I was quoting him just the other day. Larry always told me to keep other people's s#*t off my plate" I passed Larry's advice on the other day to someone who needed to clean their plate. I know how much he loved nature and I am glad he can hike the forests in heaven with ease once again. I know the last years of his life were a struggle physically, so it is a blessing for him to be set free and back to our true energy source. Thanks Larry for all your advice. I will forever pay it forward to others who need to hear your wise words! Your Lady of the Forest:)
David Boush
My father Andrew Boush shared a room with Larry at the Californian 3 times for a few weeks to a month each time over the past few years when my dad was there to recover after a few injuries. They became good friends very quickly as they liked to discuss their many shared interests and stories, and they had a similar sense of humor and outlook on life. Most recently they shared a room together before my dad passed away in February 2020. During the week before my dad passed away, my sisters and I got to spend some time with Larry and we are very grateful to have known him even if only for a week. Larry was very funny, passionate about life, always interested in others, and driven to make the world a happier and more loving place. Larry had a deep, infectious laugh and a huge heart and this was evident in so many ways. For example, by his pay it forward lotto ticket fliers, to which I joked that the tickets he gave me were broken because I never won any money and he teased back that it wasn’t the tickets but rather me that was broken. Larry was a big support to my father and our family up until my dad took his very last breath. He was so genuine, and the world and everyone in it was much better for having known him. Larry will be missed and we will never forget him!
Karen Boush
I have enjoyed reading these wonderful memories of Larry. As his son, Matt, commented, "everybody became Dad's friend." I knew Larry only a few days, but he quickly became my friend. He and my Dad were roommates at the Californian a few times, and they had a lot of similarities, not least their wry sense of humors :) I met Larry during Dad's final stay at the Californian. Dad was gravely ill, and Larry comforted all of us with his kindness, insight, and good humor. He was a tremendous support to us and to our Dad, who was comforted knowing Larry was always nearby, day or night. It's not a coincidence that the week my siblings and I met Larry at the California was Random Acts of Kindness week. I still have the "KINDNESS Pass it on!" flyer he gave to me, and I am still trying to live up to the loving kindness he extended to us. During that time, Larry was like an angel from heaven, and now he is an angel in heaven. He was so proud of all his kids and grandkids. I am very sorry for your loss.
Norman Mackenzie
I am very sorry to hear the said news of Larry’s passing. Please pass on our sympathy to Larry’s family. I knew Larry in High School and college. We used to participate nearly every weekend in “pick up “ sports at Peabody Elementary school grounds. Larry participated in my wedding (Jan Frazier and Norman Mackenzie 9-5-75). He was a great friend. In 1976 Jan & I moved to the Bay Area working with Del Monte for 30 years traveled the world, including 5 years living in Asia.We last saw Larry at Del Monte’s first reunion. We have two daughters who became AQH equestrians,in’s As a side operation .we be came Quarter horse breeders, with numerous world champions. Jan and the girls accomplished all this. Again we want to pass on our prayers to Larry’s family. They were certainly good times Love always, Norm
Pamela Barajas
Larry interviewed me in a park in 1975 for a job at the Villa Esperanza Counseling and Education Center, Santa Barbara Probation. He hired me and we worked together for only a few months until he told me he was leaving the "Villa" because he was promoted to Director of Santa Barbara Juvenile Hall. I cried. I finally worked with a boss who respected and appreciated me. Larry nicknamed me Wonder Woman. Larry always made me feel special.
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