If I were to tell you that my neighbor Larry Lewis is a train enthusiast I could be understating the situation. Larry loves trains. So much so that for the past several years Larry has worked tirelessly on getting the Clare Depot restored. This past summer he called our house asking if I could take some photos while the roof was being redone. I happily said yes. Not just because the depot is cool, which it is, but because Larry and his wife Betty are good people.
The depot isn't their only passion. They also rescue dogs and I'm a huge dog lover. Anyone who is kind to dogs and takes the unwanted and unloved ones into their home is someone I'm a fan of. These dogs have a great life. They get to go camping, help children with their reading and also serve as therapy dogs. These dogs are loved and true members of the Lewis family.
Their house is always decorated for the season and Larry and Betty spent countless hours in their yard decorating it for everyone to see. As it's Christmas time there are lights on their tree, a string of lighted garland on the fence between our houses and many lighted items in their front yard. At Halloween their yard is filled with frights and candy is generously dispensed to all children who show up there.
It was never odd to find them talking in the yard with a neighbor or someone who stopped by. Sometimes they would come over with a cold drink to share. When Larry's health permitted it wasn't unusual to find him helping my dad blowing the snow out of our driveway or shoveling the pieces that the blower leaves behind. When my mother passed they were among the first on our doorstep to see if there was anything we needed. And while it may seem like a simple thing to do, Larry helped change the wiper blades on my car when I couldn't figure it out.
When I came home from shopping on Monday my father told me that he had bad news. Betty had called and said that Larry had passed away late afternoon on Christmas eve. Putting others ahead of herself, Betty didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone so she waited until the day after to let us know.
His passing is a loss for our community because he was involved in so many things. It's also a loss for our neighborhood. I'll miss hearing his voice calling a greeting across the yard as we get into our vehicles. I'll miss watching he and my dad stand at the fence solving the problems of the world. I'll miss his stories of their adventures. Thank you for being such a great neighbor Larry. You will be missed.
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