Lawrence Joseph Molinaro

Larry was born in Duluth to Joseph and Rose (Talarico) Molinaro on July 29, 1922. He attended Irving West Junior and Denfeld High Schools. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1939 and was the first unit to be called to duty. He left Duluth with his unit and boarded the USS Paducah in Chicago and went on to the Brooklyn Naval Yard for training and then on to Norfolk, VA. After additional training he was assigned to the USS White Marsh in San Diego and spent five years in the South Pacific, taking part in eight major invasions. Larry was discharged in December 1945 and returned to Duluth. He married Edna Myre in August 1946 and together raised three daughters.

Larry became involved in construction and began work in Silver Bay. He was hired by Reserve Mining and became Executive Manager of Major projects. Larry’s last big project was Milepost Seven where he supervised 3500 employees and finished on time and within budget. He was very involved with the building of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Silver Bay and was on the board of directors. Larry was also involved with the designing and building the golf course and managed it for 30 years. He retired from Reserve Mining in 1982 after 33 years of service.

Larry and Edna moved to Florida and lived there until Edna’s health brought them back to Minneapolis to be near family. He worked for a time at Abbott Northwestern Hospital as a consultant.

Larry married Mary C (Kate) Scrignoli in May of 1993 and they made their home in Duluth, spending many winters at their condo on Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida. Larry was a member of St. James Catholic Church, the Italian American Club, and a lifetime member of VFW and American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Louise Rumpel, Evelyn Burger, Vivian Halvorson, brother, Daniel, and his first wife Edna.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (Kate), daughters, Sandra (Bill) Johnson, Judy (Daryl) Schroeder, Jean (Jeff) Swenson, step-son, Skip (Bev) LeClair, grandchildren, Cori (Jim) Davidson, Jim (Shelly) Schroeder, Ashley (Joe) Schumacher, Haley (Chad) Barton, Jon (Anne) Swenson, Chris Swenson, Emily Swenson, and Peter (Lindsay) Swenson, step-grandchildren, Kevin (Paris) LeClair, Ryan (Colleen) LeClair, and Sarah (Dave) Erola, 19 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, April 30 at St. James Catholic Church, 721 N 57th Ave W, Duluth with Fr. Jim Bissonette officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. James Catholic School.

To leave a memory or online condolence for Larry’s family visit www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com.