Lawrence Francis Bashaw

Lawrence was born April 19, 1935 to Francis and Belle (Johnston) Bashaw in Dowagiac, MI. He married Rita Murray in January of 1957. They were married for 64 years.

In life Larry was a hard worker, a caring father, and a loving husband. He was a family oriented man who always made sure he took care of his wife and always made time for his seven children. When his kids were younger he loved taking them camping and would go at least twice a month during the summers. During the winter months he could be found in the garage waxing a toboggan sled ready to go down hill. He would also turn their backyard into an ice rink so they could all go ice skating.

As his kids got older, Larry took an active role in helping coordinate their daily activities, chauffeuring them where they needed to go after school and on weekends. Faith and education were also very important to Larry and he was proud to have put all his children through parochial Catholic school.

Larry loved sports, especially Notre Dame football, and could always be found watching the Fighting Irish play on Saturday afternoons in fall. Beyond sports and the Church, Larry was passionately in love with his wife Rita. The two would never think twice about showing public signs of affection. To the very end it was important for Larry to be close to Rita. Those that knew Larry and Rita could see and would attest to how truly in love they were and how deeply committed they were to each other. They both volunteered at Meijer Gardens for 10 years during which the Gardens were their second home. In 2016 Larry and Rita won the Meijer Gardens Volunteer of the Year Award.

Larry is survived by his wife, Rita; brother; Charles; children; Kevin (Kim), Sean (Connie), Brenden, Christine, Brian (Shannon), Kyle (Jodie), and Kerry; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Francis and Belle; his siblings; Joyce and Louis Bashaw and Barbara Moses.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, July 14 at St. Alphonsus Church, 224 Carrier St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI at 11:00. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 13 at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids from 2PM - 4PM and 6PM - 8PM. Memorial contributions in Larry’s name can be made to St. Anne’s Home, 2161 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids. Larry will be laid to rest at Fairplains Cemetery in Grand Rapids.