Obituary
Larry McCloskey, age 72, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Born June 21, 1949 in Saint Michael, Pennsylvania, to the late Clemeth and Elizabeth (Peele) McCloskey, Larry shared the stories of growing up in the small coal mining town with his eight brothers and sisters before relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, where he eventually married and raised a family.
He is survived by his son Larry II, daughter Kelly (McCloskey) Rice, her wife Veronica Rice, granddaughters Kendall and Kelsey McCloskey, Mary Jane and Izzabel Corrigan Rice, his brother Clemeth “Mac” McCloskey, sister-in-law Sheryl “Q” Querry, and many nieces and nephews.
Larry began his career in Information Technology in “Electronic Data Processing”, as he described it: “the guy who took the carbon out of the carbon paper”. In a career spanning over 40 years, he worked as a computer operator, programmer, analyst, MIS manager, and consultant. He considered himself lucky to have found a job he truly enjoyed and continued to work as a consultant even after he and his late wife Debbi (nee Kness) retired to The Villages in 2016. His clients looked beyond his services and referred to him as “sweet”, considered him a part of the family, and will miss him “every single day”.
Larry was also passionate about his singing, singing in barbershop groups in Ohio and Florida for many years, as well as the church chorus. In his words:
“From the very beginning, music has been a kind of path for me. It was through music that I met literally thousands of people I might never have known. It even took me to other countries.
I have sung in many groups, both large and small, and even did some solos along the way; but the thing I remember most is how, every now and then, my music would touch others. Some of the most memorable moments came from concerts in nursing homes and hospitals. I cannot describe the feeling of having people’s eyes light up and smiles come to their faces as they frequently sang along.
But with all that said, the most important thing music has done for me was to bring me closer to my wife, my family, and my God. The words and thoughts found in gospel music have drawn me closer to my God in ways I still do not yet understand. I stand in awe as I reflect on what has gone before as well as what is yet to come.
I look forward to continuing the journey.”
His voice and spirit will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The Elyria Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Youth in Harmony outreach
c/o Steve Miller
230 Stanford Avenue
Elyria, OH 44035
Memorial Service is 3/31/22 (Thursday) at 1:00PM with reception after.
Weirsdale Presbyterian Church
16303 SE 137th Court Weirsdale, FL 32195
Service
16303 SE 137th Court Weirsdale, FL 32195
Grandpa almost smiling