Obituary for Larry Dean Cottam
Larry Cottam
June 29, 1962 - April 3, 2023
Larry spent his younger days in Nestor Falls and graduated from Fort Frances high school. He had many stories of growing up in a tourist town, and fond memories of the people he met along the way. He enjoyed his “hot?” cars, and competitive curling which later turned into his enjoyment of “bonspielling”. After graduation he moved to Kenora and worked in the lumber business for a few years before becoming a live-in volunteer for the Kenora Fire Hall. He quickly developed a passion for firefighting and community service, and the firefighters that he worked with became his second family. He retired as a Captain from Kenora Fire and Emergency Services in 2020 after 34 years, but the friendships he made lasted a lifetime.
In 1986 Larry met Judy, the love of his life, and they enjoyed 35 wonderful years together. They cherished the time they spent raising a family and making memories with family and their many close friends. Larry loved spending time with his kids Jillian and Garret - he himself was a kid at heart. In -30 he would be seen building snow forts for the Shauna Crescent kids or putting the final touches on his backyard snow luge - only after he had shoveled half the neighborhood driveways. It made him very happy to welcome their partners Benjamin and Chloe into his life. His kids will hold him close, sharing stories of his accomplishments, and embracing his values as their own.
Larry’s dedication to the community came through in his many volunteer roles, such as KBI, LOW Amateur Radio Society, LOW Search and Rescue, KPFFA Local Executive, coaching sports, or creating the neighborhood skating rink. Community service, safety, and education were his passion and he was always looking for ways to better the community. Larry was happiest when helping others, whether that meant cutting down trees at camp or checking neighbors’ smoke alarms. Once Larry stepped in, you knew he wouldn’t quit until the project was complete. Larry loved being in Sioux Narrows, Au Lac was his happy place. He always enjoyed anything outdoors whether that was fishing, hiking, or sitting on his dock with a Bud Light.
Even during his difficult battle with pancreatic cancer, he maintained a brave face and was still looking for ways to make others’ lives easier - a true testament to his selflessness. Larry’s passing has been recognized as a Firefighter Line of Duty Death.
Larry is predeceased by his parents Evelyn and Lawrence Cottam, and will be sadly missed and lovingly thought of by his wife Judy, daughter Jillian (Benjamin), son Garret (Chloe), his sisters Beverly (Bob) Kraemer, and Jan Rae (Wayne) Knutson, mother and father-in-law Lloyd and Donna Carlson, brother-in-law Allan Carlson, and his nieces and nephews Rob (Nikki), Dan (Vivian), Meghan (Brendin), Darbey (Cody) and Gavin.
Larry wanted to express his sincere gratitude for the love and overwhelming support of his friends and family during the time of his illness, and he greatly appreciated all of the calls, texts, cards, food, and very kind gestures. We would also like to thank the many dedicated healthcare teams that cared for him during his journey. Donations to a charity of your choice would be much appreciated. A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held in Kenora at a later date.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Larry, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
June 29, 1962 - April 3, 2023
Larry spent his younger days in Nestor Falls and graduated from Fort Frances high school. He had many stories of growing up in a tourist town, and fond memories of the people he met along the way. He enjoyed his “hot?” cars, and competitive curling which later turned into his enjoyment of “bonspielling”. After graduation he moved to Kenora and worked in the lumber business for a few years before becoming a live-in volunteer for the Kenora Fire Hall. He quickly developed a passion for firefighting and community service, and the firefighters that he worked with became his second family. He retired as a Captain from Kenora Fire and Emergency Services in 2020 after 34 years, but the friendships he made lasted a lifetime.
In 1986 Larry met Judy, the love of his life, and they enjoyed 35 wonderful years together. They cherished the time they spent raising a family and making memories with family and their many close friends. Larry loved spending time with his kids Jillian and Garret - he himself was a kid at heart. In -30 he would be seen building snow forts for the Shauna Crescent kids or putting the final touches on his backyard snow luge - only after he had shoveled half the neighborhood driveways. It made him very happy to welcome their partners Benjamin and Chloe into his life. His kids will hold him close, sharing stories of his accomplishments, and embracing his values as their own.
Larry’s dedication to the community came through in his many volunteer roles, such as KBI, LOW Amateur Radio Society, LOW Search and Rescue, KPFFA Local Executive, coaching sports, or creating the neighborhood skating rink. Community service, safety, and education were his passion and he was always looking for ways to better the community. Larry was happiest when helping others, whether that meant cutting down trees at camp or checking neighbors’ smoke alarms. Once Larry stepped in, you knew he wouldn’t quit until the project was complete. Larry loved being in Sioux Narrows, Au Lac was his happy place. He always enjoyed anything outdoors whether that was fishing, hiking, or sitting on his dock with a Bud Light.
Even during his difficult battle with pancreatic cancer, he maintained a brave face and was still looking for ways to make others’ lives easier - a true testament to his selflessness. Larry’s passing has been recognized as a Firefighter Line of Duty Death.
Larry is predeceased by his parents Evelyn and Lawrence Cottam, and will be sadly missed and lovingly thought of by his wife Judy, daughter Jillian (Benjamin), son Garret (Chloe), his sisters Beverly (Bob) Kraemer, and Jan Rae (Wayne) Knutson, mother and father-in-law Lloyd and Donna Carlson, brother-in-law Allan Carlson, and his nieces and nephews Rob (Nikki), Dan (Vivian), Meghan (Brendin), Darbey (Cody) and Gavin.
Larry wanted to express his sincere gratitude for the love and overwhelming support of his friends and family during the time of his illness, and he greatly appreciated all of the calls, texts, cards, food, and very kind gestures. We would also like to thank the many dedicated healthcare teams that cared for him during his journey. Donations to a charity of your choice would be much appreciated. A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held in Kenora at a later date.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Larry, please visit www.choicememorial.com.