Larry was the first true love of my life. And even though we went our separate ways we never stopped loving each other and we remained good friends to the end. I made sure that any boyfriend or husbands that I married later were willing to include him in all family gatherings. Otherwise, it would have been a no go for them. Fortunately, they were willing and Larry and my late husband, Ron, became friends and genuinely liked each other.

I can remember with crystal clarity when I first saw Larry at the auto mechanics, playing his guitar, dressed in jeans and a black turtleneck shirt, just bohemian enough for me. I thought he was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. I fell in love that day. We created 3 extraordinary children and many wonderful memories together. He adored his children and grandchildren and I thought him to be the best possible father and grandfather they could have. He was kind and caring human being and I have always been grateful for his presence in my life.

Larry, I wish you many blessings and much joy on your next adventure and I will see you again in the blink of an eye. May you fly with the angels!

With much love always, MOYC (mother of your children) Susan Gray (Coy) Scolastico

Larry was (is and always will be) my grandpa. As many people might say, I cannot say a single bad thing about him. He was kind, passionate, caring, funny, intelligent but most of all LOVING. He was so loving. He had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I knew and there is not a day that goes by that I'm not so beyond grateful to have had him in my life.

I had the opportunity to spend a couple days with him in early 2020 (before covid); we talked about my school a lot since I just recently started online college in Santa Barbara and he made sure to remind me to move up there very soon so I could spend time with him more. He told me time and time again growing up that I would love living in Santa Barbara and I always had a feeling I would too. If I knew covid was going to happen, I would've stayed with him longer but although I don't live in SB yet, I hope I did him proud by at least starting college at Santa Barbara City College with the hopes of moving there in the future. There are not enough words to describe Grandpa Larry. His heart was so full for the people around him. He never wanted to talk about himself, he was always so interested in what everyone else was doing.

I love him so so much and I can't say it enough times... I am so beyond grateful to have known him.

My Dad was a character. Don't just take it from me, it's something I hear frequently when people talk about him. He was funny (he called it "Coy humor" and those who know us both can understand where I get my sense of humor), he was kind, but also he was probably the smartest man I knew. Dad was constantly cooking up some idea for a business, or a charity, or just to help a friend with a personal problem (and everybody became Dad's friend).

Recently, I was visiting Dad in the hospital and I could tell he was worried. What he was facing was scary, but relatively routine, however I was pretty sure he didn't think he would make it through the procedure. Despite the situation, it was a pretty great visit -- first, I was able to physically touch him for the first time in months due to COVID restrictions. He later thanked me for being the "hand of comfort" to him, which made me very glad to be there for him.

Second, we got to talk a lot about life, and he especially wanted to hear about what I had "taken" from him growing up and in my life. Oh boy, that was heavy, but I was so glad looking back that we had that conversation just weeks ago. So, I wanted to share some of those things that Dad has influenced in my life:

A DEEP LOVE OF NATURE: Through the many camping, hiking, fishing trips we took to beautiful places in California, Dad shared his appreciation and connection to nature. Even now, when I have the chance to be in the tall trees of a forest, or next to a mountain stream, I feel connected to my Dad and my childhood, and more at peace than at any other time.

A SENSE OF JUSTICE & EQUALITY: Dad was a bit of an enigma -- a man who joined the Peace Corps, and then went into juvenile law enforcement when he was back in the States. He taught me that justice is important, but his philosophy was one of progressive rehabilitation and reintegration, not just incarceration and punishment. He tried to meet his wards where they lived, to help both his understanding of them and their understanding of him. He truly wanted them to succeed, and designed programs to give "his" young men and women new chances to be productive members of society. He also taught me that everyone has value, and I don't remember ever hearing him put people down for their "differences" -- this sense of equality and acceptance of others carries with me.

KINDNESS TOWARDS OTHERS: Throughout his life, his kindness extended to his friends, business associates, and family. He always tried to be helpful, regardless of the outcome for himself. As an example, while living at the Californian skilled nursing facility, Dad started a "Random Act of Kindness" club. He would have me buy loads of lottery tickets, and he would pass them out when he saw someone being kind (and, I suspect, any time he thought someone else needed a boost). He would hand them a sheet of paper, encouraging the recipient to pass on the kindness, and included the words "Embrace our similarities, celebrate our differences, and be bold; go forth." Dad also spent time working with many of the facility staff to teach them to improve their English conversational skills. He would hold classes, and sometimes I would hear about their appreciation for his efforts. I can only aspire to be as kind to others as my Dad, but I have appreciated his examples throughout life.

THE COURAGE TO TRY NEW THINGS: I, like my Dad, have moved many times to new and unfamiliar places and endeavors (especially when I was younger). I credit my willingness to leap into things without much fear that things won't work out somehow to my Dad. The thing is, it doesn't always work out, and that's ok. On to the next idea, right Dad?

These are just a few things I have taken from my Dad. Towards the end, when I asked him why he was saying some complimentary things to me that seemed a little out of the blue, I asked him why. He said, "I don't want to leave unsaid anything that indicates that the world is at least a little bit better now than when I arrived."

Well, Dad -- the world is a better place for having had you in it. I promise you that. And it will miss you terribly, as will I.

Your loving son,
Matt