Lawrence F. Makela

Lawrence F. Makela, better known as Larry or Grandpa Larry, a long time resident of Cocoa, FL, was 68 years old when he died on March 8, 2013, due to heart issues following back surgery at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL.

He was born in Ridley Park, PA, on November 11, 1944, to Lauri H. Makela and Dorothy L. Kuck Makela, who are both deceased. He moved to Florida in 1945 and grew up in North Miami. He is survived by his two brothers Richard Makela of Titusville, FL, and Stephen Makela of Lake Worth, FL.

He attended grade school at Holy Family Catholic School in North Miami Florida, and graduated from Archbishop Curley High School in 1962.

On April 18, 1964, he wed Judith Magill at Holy Family Catholic Church in North Miami, Florida. They have resided in Cocoa during their forty-eight years of marriage.

Larry attended Miami-Dade Community College and Brevard Community College.

He was employed at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from 1968 through 2010. He retired from United Space Alliance (USA) in October of 2010. He received many awards during his tenure at KSC.

As a sports lover, he played softball for many years and then became a USSSA umpire. He served as Florida’s USSSA State Umpire in Chief from 1980 until 2009. In 1999, he was honored by USSSA Hall of Fame with Larry Makela, Jr. as the first father and son to umpire together in the USSSA Men’s Major World Series.

As a thirty year plus member of the Mid Coast Officials Association (MCOA), he officiated or umpired Florida high school football, basketball and softball games.

Following his retirement in 2010, he served as a volunteer at Cambridge Elementary School with his wife, Grandma Judy. He received the 2012-2013 Cambridge Senior Volunteer of the Year Award. One of his duties included cutting out laminated items for the teachers at Cambridge. He did this on Fridays and referred to it as “cutting out paper dolls.” He also served as the Fall Products Chairman and the Cookie Chairman for the Manatee Shores Girl Scouts Service Unit.

He was a member of Divine Mercy Church in Merritt Island.

Larry was a member of the Cocoa of Elks Lodge #1539 for thirty-nine years.

He is survived by his wife Judy, his children: Susan McReynolds and husband Bryan of Zachary, LA, Larry Makela, Jr., of Cocoa, FL, and Cynthia Chapman and husband Richard of Sitka, AK. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren: Steven Sheaffer, Joshua McReynolds, Tabitha McReynolds, Michelle Makela, Katie McReynolds, Christopher Makela, Caleb McReynolds, Seth McReynolds, Gabriel McReynolds, Thomas Makela, and Harlee Chapman.

He was a sports fanatic and also loved to fish, play golf, read, play cards and spend time with his family.

His funeral mass will be at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island, FL at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Fr. Farrell will officiate the Mass.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 15, 2013, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home in Cocoa, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Divine Mercy Academy Scholarship Program, Merritt Island, FL.

The family would like to thank the community for their generous outpouring of love and support.

“Live, Laugh, Love”