Larry Alan Ethier
It is with great sadness that the family of Larry Alan Ethier announces his sudden passing in Edmonton on Monday, April 10th at the age of 69.
Larry was born on February 20th, 1948 in Edmonton to Leo and Verna Ethier and is survived by his loving brother Randy (Clea). He married Deborah Charter in 1971 and they shared 46 wonderful years together. They have three children – Melanie (Chris), Neil (Sara) and Lucas (Devon). Larry is adored by his seven grandchildren – Cade, Brooke, Thomas, Nixon, Charlie, Avy Jane and Maeve. The love that Larry shared with Deb and his family is an inspiration to all.
Larry was a passionate, innovative, and influential teacher, volleyball coach, and school administrator. Through his work he made a positive impact upon so many people around the world: Edmonton, Wetaskiwin, Osaka, Taipei, Nairobi, Burkina Faso, Dubai, and Ho Chi Minh City. Larry was deeply respected and will be remembered as an empathetic, fun-loving, wise, and honest man who had a genuine interest in, and immediate effect upon, everyone he met.
Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate Larry and the incredible impact he has had on everyone he touched. As a volleyball coach, educator, and avid sports fan, Larry had a passion for sport and strongly believed in its positive impact on kids and life.
Celebration of Life
1:00PM Tuesday April 18, 2017
North Pointe Community Church
14025 167 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6V 1J5
Memorial Donations
Online at KidsSport or by cheque to:
KidSport Edmonton
2-226 Saville Community Sports Centre
11610-65 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1
I’m sure what I have to say will be repeated by others again and again. It was a rich and sincere pleasure working with Larry for the brief time we spent together at ASD. A great listener, very kid-centered, sincere – a terrific mentor. Lori and I are deeply saddened by his passing,
To the family of Mr. Ethier,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Ethier was always considered one of my favourite teachers – a caring and passionate teacher! Always enjoyed his classes. My deepest sympathy to you!
An early 1980’s student from Wetaskiwin Comp.
Very sorry to here of your families loss
Larry was a great mentor and volleyball coach and I am glad to have had the honour of working with him as a teacher and coach
My heart goes out to you and your family
We were deeply saddened to hear of Larrys passing. Our deepest sympathy’s to you Deb and all your family. Larry was a wonderful teacher and friend.
Deb…I was so sad to hear of Larry’s sudden death and I am sending my condolences to you and your family. Hold tight to those that share your grief and take care of yourself as you take this next journey.
Sandi Thirlwell (Wayne’s sister)
Deb-I ache for you. It was a privilege to know Larry. My prayers are with you. Love, Miffie
Dear Deb and family,
Our deepest sympathies on your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love Gary and Barbara MacPhie
My Condolences to your Family, Mr Ethier had a very special way of engaging the entire classroom, and his smile was contagious. Looking back I see now that his teaching was a passion for him and that passion benfieted many students. May the memories you hold so dear today help you through the days ahead. (Former Student Wetaskiwin.)
So very sad to hear of the the passing of Mr. Ethier. He was an inspiration with his zest for life. I feel so very fortunate to have had received a bit of his “sparkle”. For Deb & your family, my deepest condolences. Rest in Peace Mr. E.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Having Mr. Ethier as a teacher at “Queen E” in Wetaskiwin is a great memory that i have always – and will continue to – treasure.
Thinking of you and all of your family At this very sad time.
Larry has left all of us far too soon.
He had a very positive influence in our son’s life. Our family has many happy Volleyball memories to reflect back on.
Take care!
Mr. Ethier was my high school Bio teacher in Wetaskiwin many many years ago. He was one of my all time favorite teachers . He made classes come alive with his humour and he truly cared about his students. So sorry to hear of his passing.
To the Larry Ethier family.
In times of life we all often look back to the persons that crossed our path and we fondly remember the times and the persons that left their appreciative mark with some form of guidance or wisdom.
Mr. Ethier to me (to us), or sometimes known to students as Larry in our circles because he was more than a teacher, he was like a trusting friend.
Occasionally I would think of Mr. ‘E’ and ruminate about his journey and where he were, especially when a Doobie Brothers song came on. That would immediately take me back to Grade 7 Science at Allendale listening to the Doobie Brothers in class and Grade 10 Physics in Wetaskiwin. I was blessed and lucky to have Larry twice ;>).
It is with personal sadness to learn of Mr. Ethier’s passing, however lovingly remembered for who he was and what he brought to society. May God Bless Deborah, their children and his extended family and friends at this time.
RIP Mr. ‘E’, till we meet again.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Larry. He was an inspiration to so many people , and his ability to teach us the importance of good sportsmanship and fairness has carried over into my adulthood . May your time of sorrow be brief in the knowledge that he left so many with happy memories. Rest in Peace Mr E!!
Dear Mrs Ethier and family,
I’m so sad to hear of Mr Ethiers passing…he was my favourite teacher and I have great memories babysitting for you when you had your kdays booth each July for 10 days! He was well loved and will be missed by many….our reunion in heaven will be epic!
Larry was a wonderful man and a great friend. Just his presence had a positive impact on those around him. He has left me the gift of great memories of our days at the U of A, and our antics at the Deke house.
Rest in Peace Larry.
My sympathies to Deb and all your family. I had the privilege to know Mr Ethier when I was an exchange student in Wetaskiwin. I was on the girl volleyball team and he coached the boys to a provincial championship. Mr Ether was an amazing person and left many beautiful memories to anyone around him. RIP Mr Larry Ethier until we meet again.
Like so many other students, Mr. Ethier was one of my favorite teachers at Wetaskiwin Comp (Class of ’84). He was a positive and exuberant teacher. Bio 31 class and our first experience donating blood. He is the reason why I have reached the 50 donation milestone. Never realized how young he was when he taught us. So sorry for your family’s loss!
Our condolences to you Deb, Melanie, Neil, Lucas and families. We were very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Larry was a partner and friend during our time together at Taipei American School. His passion for kids, his sense of right and wrong, and his vision for learning were felt by everyone around Larry. He was lots of fun and I will always remember our skit for the seniors one year. As an international educator Larry touched many, many lives, including mine and I am forever grateful to have had him in my life. I know what a fabulous husband and father he was and his pride and love for his family was always self-evident. Larry will always be with us in so many ways and Carol and I offer our warmest embrace to Deb and the family during this time of both sorrow for the loss and celebration for the life.
Larry, you were a hero. You touched every soul that you came across. What can we say, we loved you so much but God loved you more. Praying for the Grace that cometh from God to console your whole family during this dark moment of mourning. Rest in eternal peace.
Deb and family,
So very, very sorry to hear about Larry. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
To the Ethier family: We will always remember Larry for his bright smile, his warm heart and his genuine zest for living life. The sun has set far too soon and another star comes out in the night. Our deepest condolences to Neil, your Mom Deb and your families.
Mr. Ethier was an amazing teacher and inspiring person! He was my advisor in high school, and always seemed really interested in what I had to say. Shortly after high school, seeing him in the halls at the University of Alberta was always a treat because talking to him, even in passing, was a joyful reminder of home. My deepest condolences to his family and friends….he was one of a kind!
Dear Deb and family,
I remember Larry as kind, caring, funny, and sincere…a true gentleman in every sense of the word. His passing is a great loss to you and all of us whose lives he touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this sad time. Sending lots of healing thoughts and love from Panama.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. He was a great volleyball coach and mentor in my high school years. He will be missed by all those whose lives be touched.
Tillie Tomkow
It is with great sadness that I send condolences to all your family on the loss of your precious loved one. I feel blessed to have known a wonderful man such as Larry. My thoughts and prayers are with
you all. Deb, I hope to see you soon at a teachers’ luncheon.
Neil, I still hang an ornament you gave me on my Christmas tree.
Sending much love
Dear Debbie and family.
It’s been years since I last saw any of you, and close to the same for Larry. Most like the last time was at a Tom Lancaster golf tournament. I left Edmonton in 2004 so had to be before that.
My best memory of Larry was his wonderful smile, which lit up a room. His laughter and humour were legendary. Remember the Grey Cup parties at Gary & Joanne Frost’s? Such good times.
My deepest condolences to all of you. A good man gone, but not forgotten.
Sandy
Deb and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Larry’s passing. While I only had a chance to meet Larry a few times, I somehow felt like I knew him well. He always welcomed me and treated me like family. He was clearly a great father and grandfather, and a great connector of people. After all, if it wasn’t for the invitation to have breakfast together in Taipei back in 2000, I never would have met my wife! He will be missed. I hope the family can take some comfort in the fact that so many friends and family around the world are thinking of you and praying for you. Sending much love from London.
Dear Deb, Melanie, Neil, Lucas and families,
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to you at this sad time. Larry will be missed by all. Take care of each other and hold on tight.
Love,
Dave and Sheryl
Deb, we are deeply saddened to hear of your tremendous loss. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you & family.
Lynda & Al Bostrom
I am very sorry to hear the news of Larrys passing. He taught us in school but in many more ways he taught us about life. He will always be remembered.
Dear Ethier family:
So very sorry for your loss. It has been said many times before, but there was something special about Larry – as a teacher and a person. How lucky we all are to have been able to have crossed paths with him in our lives! I will always treasure our visits in Japan. Thinking of you all.
Deb, Melanie, Neil & Lucas,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you during this difficult time. Larry was and will remain a role model and mentor to many. I have so many memories of Larry coaching me (six years from grade 7 to grade 12) and Larry’s passion for the sport and more importantly his passion for students, athletes and family was obvious to all. He will be missed.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Ron and Barbara Norton
Dear Deb, Melanie, Neil and Lucas,
We were so sad to learn of Larry’s/your Dad’s passing via our son, David. Larry had a very special positive influence on David’s life, a consistent theme I’m sure you’re hearing repeated from so many others. While at OIS, Larry taught him the competitive game of volleyball but, beyond that, took a personal interest in David and in each of his students. He demonstrated a strength of character that made those who knew him want to emulate. We thank him for that. Please know that our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Deb and family,
We are so sorry to hear of this sudden loss of Larry in your lives.
He was a great educator, principal, friend, partner and father, and will greatly be missed. Our thoughts are with you all as you celebrate his life. We will keep his spirit alive in our hearts.
Mr E , as he was lovely know as at the ASD campus, was much more than a principal. He was a great example to our children. It was a truly great year at the American School of Dubai that year. Mainly due to a loving and compassionate principal. I am the mother of Noelle Bensaid, class of 2012. The seniors that year loved and respected Mr E more than any adult. Seniors and teenagers in general are not always responsive to parents but all thigh school students shared a bond and respect for Mr E. He took the time to know each child and become involved in their life. This is an example of how one persons influence can benefit so many.
Dear Ethier Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family during this very difficult time. I had the great honour to have Mr. Ethier as both my biology and chemistry teacher. I also had the pleasure of knowing him through volleyball as he was the mens coach while I played high school ball. He is truly a part of my very fond memories in my high school years, I feel very blessed to have known him.
Our sincere condolences to Deborah and all Larry’s family on his passing. An unforgettable man that lived life well.
Dear Deb and all your family,
I have been thinking of you and your tragic loss – I send heartfelt condolences. I believe I met Larry just the once on the golf course but noted how kind and caring he was with us beginner golfers. Donna has told me about the wonderful tributes during the celebration of Larry and all he had given over the years. I do hope to see you soon – hopefully it will work for you to join us with the River Ridge golf. I would love to see you there. It is a very welcoming grorup.
Take very good care of yourself, Deb
Jan Chambers
Thinking of you Deb. If there’s anything you need…give your old Sunday School kid a shout 🙂
The great number of tributes on here attest to the effect Larry left on everyone.
Larry squeezed so much out of life,your travels and adventures.I never had a bad word to say about Larry and will always remember that enthusiastic smile of his.
My prayers go ou to you Debbie and your family.
RIP Larry.
So sorry for your loss. So very sorry to hear about Larry.