Larry Paul Suppan

Larry Suppan was born on February 11, 1937, at the home of his Aunt Florence, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Larry was raised by his grandfather, Ferdinand Suppan and his Aunt Irene. Larry loved music; listening to it, dancing to it and playing it. In 1954 he danced at American Bandstand, when Bob Horn was the MC. For two years Larry played the drums in the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia. To stay warm he put layers of newspaper under his uniform. Later he formed a four-piece combo, this time playing the guitar, and performed at numerous events around Chester, Pennsylvania. Larry was also a disc jockey for the local radio station while doing carpentry during the day. He graduated from Ridley Township High School in 1954 and joined the Marine Corp in 1955. It was there that he studied to become an Air Traffic Controller. After leaving the Marines Larry began his 31 year career as an Air Traffic Controller

During one of his visits home, while on leave, he joined his friends at the Polish-American club for dancing. It was there he met Kathleen Lord. It was love at first sight. They married in 1959 and were blessed with five children: Larry Jr., Michael, Dan, Karen and Jeff.Larry’s assignments in the FAA spanned from Washington DC to Los Angeles. And his love for the Washington Redskins football team began when he was hired as a controller at JFK airport. Larry was an assistant chief at Lax and the chief of Hawthorne airport and had worked one summer as a controller in the Grand Canyon. He rose from controller to Supervisor, to teacher. He drove his family from Los Angeles to Oklahoma and taught at the Air Traffic Control School. To rise from Air Traffic Controller to top Management he earned his A.A. degree at Pierce Jr. College while working as a controller and being the dad of 5 children. Now that’s amazing! His final assignment was in China, teaching radar to Chinese controllers, and of course, Larry came back making the best Chinese food ever! Cooking was a passion of Larry’s. It began when he was 12, working at the Folsom Diner in PA. He enjoyed cooking for his family, friends, and

co-workers. In 1983 he and a co-worker began a two year course at the Culinary School of UCLA. After his retirement in 1984, Larry worked in several restaurants as a prep cook. In 1999 with his son Dan, who had fourteen years’ experience at the Cheesecake Factory, Larry opened his own breakfast and lunch restaurant, “The Old Factory”. When Jeff showed interest, Larry decided to sell the restaurant to him — and we all know that led to Soup’s Sports Grill which opened in 2008. Larry continued to create recipes and provide desserts for the restaurant until its closing. No matter what, Larry always had time for golf, gardening, and cooking. Larry moved up to management which gave him the opportunity to coach Jeff, his youngest son, at Westhill’s Baseball. Larry was the V.P of Westhill’s Baseball back in the 70’s and Jeff was the President in back in 2024 and still the current V.P. Larry’s wife, Kathleen, went home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2008. And on October 27, 2012, he married Patty Didelow who helped and encouraged Larry till the end. Larry was so talented that he could listen to a song on the radio and play it back on his guitar and for many parties he was truly the “life of the party.” For his family and friends, he would play the guitar and sing and especially love the song, Tom Dooley. Larry took up art and amazed everyone with a perfect painting without even taking any art classes. Larry even made jewelry, rebuilt his kitchen and gold plate furniture, And his gardening skills were the Very Best as he and Patty grew the best tomatoes in the Valley.

Larry is survived by Patty Suppan, Katie Suppan, Michael & Virginia Suppan, Dan & Melissa Suppan, Jeff & Dana Suppan. His Grandchildren are Christine Suppan-Springer, Leilani Suppan-Lingle, Karalyn Suppan Mattheson, Malia Suppan, Dylan, Bryan, Daniel, Jacob, Haley, Alexis, Madison, Finley, Brody, His Great Grandchildren are Alessia, Lucian, Dominic, Lillianna, Stella, Elena, Kinsley, Aella, Gideon, James. And all of the Lord Family relatives.

Vigil

June 14th at 6pm Gates,

Kingsley & Gates Mortuary

6909 Canoga Ave, Canoga Park, Ca.

Funeral Service

June 15 at 11am

St. Bernardine Catholic Church

24410 Calvert Street

Woodland Hills, Ca