Larry Pinkowski

Some people make a success of their lives, even with a rough beginning. Larry Pinkowski was one of those people. He was an outdoorsman who loved fishing, biking, golfing and cross country skiing. He served in the Calvary in a group known as the “Tigers”, during World War II. Most importantly, Larry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who loved his family dearly.

Born in 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Michael and Angeline (Sievert) Pinkowski, Larry was the only boy of five children. Michael and Angeline worked hard to raise Larry along with his sisters, Florence, Genevieve, Dorothy and Dolores. The “roaring twenties”, as the decade was called, was a good time for raising a family. Women were experiencing broadening financial and social opportunities and the times were prosperous. Unfortunately for the Pinkowski Family, tragedy struck when Michael died at the age of thirty-nine from TB and Angeline died of pneumonia at the age of forty-two. With no parents to care for Larry, he was shuttled between various relatives to spend the remainder of his childhood.

After finishing his schooling, Larry joined the “The Black Horse Company”, in 1941. Shortly after, they were shifted to the 3rd Army 10th Division 11th Calvary Co.E where his division toured in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. “The Tigers”, as they were nicknamed were essential in the Battle of the Bulge. It was at this turning point in World War II, that Larry lost two of his close tank mates. Larry returned home from the war in 1946.

Upon his return home, Larry met a pretty lady named Florence, who was a divorcee with two young children, Don and Arlene. After a time of dating, Larry and Florence fell in love and were married on December 14, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. They began their married life together in a small apartment at 3319 North Central Park, right above Florences’ mother and brothers. Larry worked as a pressman at Gunthorp and Warren, a lithographing company, to support the family while Florence stayed home to care for the children. In May of 1948, Larry and Florence welcomed their son, Tom into the world, completing their family of five.

Family vacations were taken at Murphy’s in Mountain, Wisconsin and later at Northland Lodge in Minnesota and Youngs in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. At Murphy’s, Larry and Don would go fishing while Arlene took care of the cooking, cleaning and looking after Tom. (Tom was fascinated with the minnows that would swim away in rows when he put his hands in the water).

After Larry retired from Gunthorp and Warren, where he had worked for thirty-three years, he had a chance to travel even more and keep up with his love of outdoor sports. He traveled to Las Vegas with his cousin Louise and in the 1980’s Larry and his son-in-law went on a 375 mile bike ride across Wisconsin for four consecutive years. Even though Larry was in his sixties, he could always be found at the head of the pack!

When Larry’s grandchildren, Debbie, Donna, Joe, Sue, Melissa, Thomas and Timothy came along, he made sure they were included in the family fun. The vacations at Northland Lodge and Youngs continued with everyone, including the grandchildren, having a chance to fish, relax and enjoy the time together. One winter, Larry, Arlene, and her husband, Larry, went cross country skiing and ice fishing at Northland. Some family members continued the vacations for thirty years!

In 1993, Larry left the apartment he had been in for forty-six years, to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan to live with Arlene and her family. Florence, by this time had passed away, and Larry wanted to be closer to his children. Larry was a most welcome addition to Arlene’s household. He was very helpful, willing to cook, mow the lawn, and babysit; helping out in whatever way he was needed. When Larry helped out with the cooking, he had a chance to make some of his favorite dishes: pizza with salt, prime rib with salt, fish with salt and popcorn shrimp, bacon and eggs with salt! He also enjoyed cheese cake and butter pecan ice cream, with only the cheese cake not salted!

In his spare time, Larry continued to golf, bike ride, bowl and ice skate. He enjoyed playing cards, especially a challenging game of Uno with family and friends. He also loved woodworking whenever he had the opportunity.

On February 18, 2006 Larry suffered a stroke in his home in Grand Rapids and was then moved to Spectrum Health Kent Community Campus. Here he spent the remainder of his life, where he was well cared for by the resident staff. Larry had a stubborn side that peeked out when he harassed the staff at Spectrum. They didn’t mind, and quickly learned to treat him the same way! Larry was like family to them, and they took him into their hearts, taking him out for meals and to baseball games.

Larry was a very strong minded and loving man who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. His whole family and all of his friends will remember the fun times they had with him.

Clarence M. (Larry) Pinkowski, aged 89, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florence, three sisters, and one granddaughter. He is survived by his children, Don and Joy Getz of Park Ridge, IL, Arlene and Larry Sprengelmeyer of Grand Rapids, Tom and Olive Pinkowski of Poplar Grove IL, also surviving are his 6 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren; his sister; Dolores Murry, of Chicago IL. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Church , 2300 Lake Michigan DR NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Friends and relatives may meet with his family on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW. Memorial contributions to Hospice of Michigan or the Holy Spirit Education Foundation would be appreciated. To archive memory, photo, or sign his guest book if you are unable to attend, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.