Larry Robert LeMay
Larry Robert LeMay, 81, Holcombe, passed away at his home, Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Larry was born Sept. 28, 1941, in Menomonie. He grew up in Superior, and Kenosha, where he attended Mary D. Bradford High School.
He worked as national sales manager for United Brands, where he won many awards for sales. It was also here that his love of plants and flowers developed, and inspired him to pursue his entrepreneurial spirit.
Larry was very proud of the business partnership he had with his son, Brent LeMay, and son-in-law, Tom Fijalkiewicz, in the development of Natural Creations, Inc., located in Bloomer. He retired from Natural Creations, Inc., 15 years ago.
He married Sharon Gabbey, of Racine, Feb. 3, 1962, in Kenosha, where they lived until 1979, when they decided to move to Holcombe. Larry and Sharon were married until 1996, when Sharon passed away.
Larry always said that he was a lucky man to love, and have the love, of two wonderful women, because after the death of his first wife, Larry met Dee Johnson and was engaged to Dee until his passing.
He is survived by his fiancé – Dee Johnson; son – Brent LeMay; daughters – Leslie (Tom) Fijalkiewicz and Kelly (Al) Firkus, and Kelly’s first husband, Pat Carothers, that Larry said, “will always be another son to me;” all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were a huge source of pride and joy, grandchildren – Jamie Moos, Ozzie (Anne) Carothers, Beth (Alex) Rau, Zack (Ashley) Carothers and Becky (Gage) Cahoon; great-grandchildren – MacKenzie, Donovan, Braden, Griffin, Addison, Austin, Rian, Carly, Esme and Miles; brothers – Merle (Mary Ellen) LeMay and Chuck (Lorna) LeMay; brother-in-law – John (Marilyn) Gabbey; sister – Bonnie (Fred) Mancusi; sistersin- law – Elaine (Norb) LeMay, Maria Kirsh and Charlene (Jim) Gabbey; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by both parents – Leonard and Eunice LeMay; his wife – Sharon (Gabbey) LeMay; father and mother-in-law – Howard and Betty Gabbey; siblings – Lyle (Delores) LeMay, Dale (Carol) LeMay, Norb (Elaine) LeMay, Roger (Debbie) LeMay, Mavis (Rich) Gulbransen and Beverly LeMay; brothers and sisters-in-law – Vern (Marilyn) Spaulding, Jim (Charlene) Gabbey and Alan (Cindy) Gabbey.
Larry was blessed to be able to remain at home until meeting his Heavenly father, thanks to his fiancé, Dee Johnson, neighbors and friends, Clifford and Norma Metcalf, Chuck Metcalf, and two special caregivers, Dana Grams and Dawn Braden.
A celebration of life will be held for Larry, Saturday, July 1, with visitation from 1-3 p.m., at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, followed by a service at 3 p.m., at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com.
Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cornell, is assisting the family.
