Larry Camin

Lawrence “Larry” Roy Camin passed away December 25, 2022, three months after his 90th birthday. He was born to Theodore and Anne Camin in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 24, 1932. He was athletic and responsible from the start and actually walked home from the hospital himself in eight feet of snow. Larry tragically lost his father, a pharmacist, in a drug store robbery and was raised by his mother Anne in Cleveland. He benefited from the love of his mother’s three sisters and their husbands who taught Larry to eat deli food and appreciate bad jokes. Larry graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1950 where he was on the track team and specialized in the pole vault as the most assured way to break his arm. Larry completed pharmacy school in 1953 at Ohio Northern University, where he was active in his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and served as President. He also attended classes there in his spare time. Upon completing his studies, he was too young to take the pharmacy exam and worked as a drug store “soda jerk” making ice cream shakes until he was age eligible to take the exam.

Larry served in the United States Army stationed in Alaska as a surgical technician and base pharmacist from 1954 to 1956. He was key to base morale by making the cough syrup different colors to reflect holidays and seasons. During his service he earned the nickname “Jaws” for his ability to eat a sandwich made from an entire loaf of bread. Due to the few military maneuvers in Alaska, he became very well-read by completing the works of Leo Tolstoy and Atlas Comics books.

Thereafter, he met his wife of 56 years, Linda Rae (Simon) Camin through mutual friends, who set them up for a blind date. He made a great impression as the best date Linda had ever had due to his good looks, full head of hair (at the time) and charm. Linda tends to procrastinate, so they married 7 years later. During that time Larry found his passion in pharmaceutical marketing and earned a Master’s degree with honors in Business from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio in 1966.

Soon after ,he accepted a job as a marketing manager for Abbott Laboratories and moved to Chicago, Illinois, to begin his married life with Linda. In 1966 they purchased their first home and Larry took up abstract painting in the basement for winter entertainment, played golf in good weather and began his love affair with lawn care. During his time with Abbott, he secured several patents. While in this creative period, Larry and Linda welcomed their first and loud daughter, Caryn “Carrie”. Larry grew weary of the Chicago winters and, while expecting his second and eventually taller daughter Cheryl, successfully found a product manager position with Texas Pharmacal Company and moved his family to a very large backyard with a small house in front in San Antonio, TX. Here Larry traded golfing for tennis on his lunch hour in order to spend weekends with his family.

In 1977, Larry’s employer was relocating to the Northeast and so he took a new position with VICRA as Director of Sales and Marketing in Dallas, TX, to avoid any more winters in a basement. This is where Larry created an entertaining company newsletter to disseminate information and excelled at office pranks. His team at work adored him so much that they threw a Larry Camin look-a-like contest to celebrate his 47th birthday. Larry came in third place.

When his employer again relocated to a wintery region, Larry became Regional Sales Director for MediSonics to stay in Dallas. He traveled across the central United States selling and training medical professionals on ultrasound technology. He was very skilled after practicing on his children.

In 1983, Larry produced Volume 1 of the Camin Condition and released another 35 annual editions. His humorous holiday newsletter developed a devoted following and reached a distribution of almost 12.

He and Linda raised their children in the same home where they completed several renovations using duct tape. Despite his required business travel, he was an incredibly committed, patient and thoughtful husband and father, devoting quality time to Linda, the girls and the yard. He and Linda almost went semi-pro on the bridge circuit and accumulated $7 in winnings over their 50-year playing streak. He drove his kids to skating practices and attended an infinitesimal number of competitions, dance recitals and their high-school drill team, the “Pacesetters”, performances. He wore his “Pacesetter Dad” sweatshirt until his final days. In his spare-time he collected coins, took up cooking, regularly hit the gym, played tennis and did yard work. Larry became the family 'Head Chef' and was infamous for his bourbon injected “drunken” Thanksgiving turkey and moist dressing. It was so good even the turkeys wanted to be invited to holiday dinners.

Larry semi-retired, and despite Linda giving him a golf magazine subscription, continued to play tennis regularly. He maintained his gym workouts and yard work into his 80’s. In addition to being physically active, he focused on his mental agility and was ever educating himself to learn something new on the Internet and always current on world and financial news. His family asked Larry instead of Alexa.

His hard work and investing allowed him to travel with Linda (she insisted on going too) as well as the whole family, including luxury cruises where he earned awards for buffet and champagne consumption (not always in that order). Larry found joy and humor in everything he did and everyone he met. He remained steadfast and graceful in the management of Parkinson’s Disease. He always focused on what he needed to do until he was done.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Roy Camin and his mother, Anne Friedland; his stepfather, Marvin Friedland; his sister, June and brother-in-law, John Biskind. He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Carrie Camin (Dan Rowan), Cheryl Camin Murray, (son-in-law Blake Murray); and his grandchildren, Anna Camin, Piper Murray, Tess Murray, Connor Murray; too many fans to list, countless stories of his humor and kindness and a still thriving lawn. He will never be forgotten and will always keep us smiling.

The family appreciates and is grateful for the expert and dedicated care provided at home for “Mr. Larry” by Kathy Thompson, PT, and caring caregivers: Eloisa Meza, Jean Kasolo, Pamela Duffey, Aisha Job, Chris Kazembe, Maria Klaric, Digna Munguia, Simeon Mwale, Bob Nyirenda, and the staff of Accent Care. Many bonus years were made possible by Dr. Charles Levin, Dr. Rueben Saez and Dr. Bruce Bowers.

A private service was held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers or food, if you would like, please consider contributing to the Parkinson Voice Project (https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/) or a charity of your choice.