Captain Larry Baese

A memorial service for Captain Larry will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Ocean View Funeral Home, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC V5J1A4.

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Larry Baese will be remembered as a natural leader, endowed with the natural talent and personality that made him a born manager. Larry was incredibly unique in how he made his mark in life. While reserved, and quiet, he was also a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, he was also a true gentleman. Larry was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him, just who he was and what he was all about. Self-made and educated, everyone acquainted with Larry knew him as a well-respected man who was kind, generous, compassionate, loyal, and honest. He carried a strong sense of duty throughout his life, and was an exceptionally adoring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather .

Born on September 22, 1930 in Melville Saskatchewan Canada, to parents Maria Friesen and Henry Baese, Larry was raised in Abbotsford and Richmond BC. Even as a youngster, Larry learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependable love was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Larry was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do, and avoided the things they shouldn’t do. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Larry was raised with six siblings Mabel, Clifford, Gwendoline, Grace, and Sinclair. He had an inborn appreciation for order in the family and adored his younger sister Gwen, taking on the role of her care for the most part of her younger life. Gwen is the last of his siblings alive today. As a young boy, Larry enjoyed being part of teams, organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. He liked baseball, roller-skating and fishing.

In school, Larry was a bit of a rebel, and wanted to work rather than attend school, but he was a logical and focused thinker, and was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, many of them being self-imposed. His personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” Larry's matter-of-fact attitude developed during his very difficult childhood. His life’s story is one of courage and testament to the tenacity of his spirit. At the tender age of fourteen, Larry found himself with no parents to take care of him; his mother had never wanted him and his father left him to join the merchant marines. Determined to make something of himself, and demonstrating an incredible work ethic, Larry's memorable achievements were getting a job at 14 years of age and becoming self-sufficient by finding a place to live on the tug boats, where he worked as a deckhand. Having only a grade 7 education, Larry studied hard by way of correspondence to complete his Grade 12, and obtained his skipper's ticket to work full time on the tug boats. It was full steam ahead for Larry after that, and he never looked back.

Larry's practical work ethic carried over into his later years. His logical mind permitted him to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions. He would tackle any assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. His orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped him stay on track but often put him ahead of the pack When Larry saw the need or benefit, he would willingly take on the extra work in order to learn more and become a better worker.

Larry was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw, was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends and when Larry was with a group, he had the unique ability of keeping everyone around him grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Larry came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were his brother in-laws Loui, Ernie, Albert, Freddy, and Franky. Later in life, he became friends with Richard Kline, Mervin Ellis, Doug McDonald and Walter Alexson.

An objective and conscientious individual, Larry revelled in the security of starting his own family. On February 24, 1951 Larry exchanged wedding vows with Dolores Louise Babuin at the St. Agustines Church of Vancouver, (Marpole) BC. One of Larry's most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Larry was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up, and maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Larry would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Larry and Dolores were blessed with three children; two sons, Gary, Larry Jr., and one daughter Maria. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, Ronny, Sarah, Jennifer, Danny,Jesica and seven beautiful great-grandchildren.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Larry was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Larry was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Larry upheld his standards. His primary occupation was that of self-employed owner of the Dollar Navigation Tug Boat Company. Larry was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done."

Larry approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, playing by the rules was a natural thing for him to do. He appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies, and his favourites were golfing, riding horses, and fishing. Larry was content to enjoy his pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others. He was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favourite events, especially hockey and golfing, whenever he got the opportunity.

Being generous with his time and energy, Larry liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. Throughout his later years, Larry was an active member of the Fort Langley Golf Club, and was their Club Captain.

Larry held high moral standards and his faith was important to him; for that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member Our Lady Of Good Council for many years.

When it came time to travel or vacation, Larry used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain not a single person was overworked, in putting the trip together. Larry loved going to Hawaii and Disneyland with his grandchildren, travelling in his motorhome to various places like Reno, Vegas, and Santiago, and golfing in Merritt with his grandson Ronny, and travelling to Spruce Meadows with his granddaughter Sarah.

Larry was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Some of his favourites animals were his horse Babe, and his dogs Chico and Annie. They were best friends for 16 years.

When Larry's retirement finally arrived he was 60, and well prepared. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been planned and attended to. His new life involved traveling with his wife, to Europe, Hawaii, Reno, Las Vegas, and Arizona. In retirement, he found new pleasure in golfing with his grandson Ronny Jr, and travelling with him to watch lots of his tournaments across Canada and the States. For years, he loved playing golf with his son-in-law Ron Diack and grandson Ronny Jr., at the Fort Langley Golf Course. Larry also had a special bond with his granddaughter Sarah-Jayne and loved watching her ride her beautiful black Sophie in multiple horse shows around the lower mainland, and would drive her to Spruce Meadows, to compete in her show jumping.

Retirement gave Larry time to do all 2023, the important things he missed, while away on the tug boats, providing him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends and all their activities, attend functions and group outings.

Larry passed away on May 19, 2023 at the Fort Langley Seniors Home. He was very content, never complained, always had a good attitude, and loved his daughter Maria dearly! He enjoyed being with her, and fought the effects of aging long and hard. He is survived by his loving daughter Maria, sons Gary and Larry Jr., grandchildren Ronny, Sarah, Jennifer, Danny, Jesica, and seven great grandchildren Arielle,Izabella, Sienna, Audrina, Dominic, Sophia. A Celebration of Life was held at Ocean View Funeral Home in Burnaby, where he was laid to rest.

All who knew him would agree that Larry was a pillar of the community who lived his life with both feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Mr. Walker Larry Baese did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched, was given the chance to become a better person.