Obituary of John E. Larrabee

Larrabee, John Edward John Edward Larrabee, 73, passed away on February 14, 2014 peacefully at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL. He was predeceased by his parents Byron and Mary; brother Paul; brother in law Tom Swan; aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who have passed before her. He is survived by his children, Patrick, Michael (Val) Bergin, Katie (John) Wilcox, step-son Danny; grandchildren Allie, Adam, Sarah, Cameron, and Michele; siblings Vera (Don) Eddy, Juanita Swan, Mark (pam) Larrabee and sister in law Mary Larrabee along with several nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors, including friend and caretaker Dan Bocik. John was a Veteran of the US Navy, completing 3 tours in the Viet Nam war, earning a Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he proudly began working for IBM. When he retired in 1995, he moved to Chicago to remain near family. He played the upright bass in many country and bluegrass bands, was a member of PENNY Bluegrass Association and was a champion square dance caller. He enjoyed watching sports, especially NASCAR, collegiate sports and baseball. He had the unenviable fate of becoming a diehard Chicago Cubs fan late in life. He especially enjoyed listening to Ron Santo and Harry Carey bring the game to life on the radio. He loved to fish and was very proud of his garden. He was a grateful Friend of Bill's for over 30 years. A Memorial Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton Saturday April 5, 2014 at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Augustine's Cemetery, Silver Lake, Pa. The family will receive friends at the Church of Saints John and Andrew Saturday from 9a.m. until 10 a.m.