I am saddened to discover that we lost this incredibly beautiful soul last year.  I am beyond grateful for Mr C.  I was blessed to have him as a teacher and a friend.  In my teen years at Clovis West, I went through some difficult times and Larry was the light in my darkness.  He helped me believe in myself and keep going.  He even attended my wedding. Oh how he will be missed!  Thank you kind Sir for helping me in some of my most challenging situations while growing up.  You will forever be my angel and one of my most favorite humans ever!  Love forever and always, Becky Spatgen

Mr. C was the only teacher I ever had at Clovis West who wasn't just reading the answers out of the back of the teacher's edition textbook until it was time to go coach some sport. I don't think there even was a teacher's edition of the ancient tome he had us toting around. He really knew his material and he always made sure that you knew it just as well as he did before you left the building for the day. Education and I have never really mixed but I still have the massive stack of Zoology notes I took 30-odd years ago because I never wanted to forget the experience of being in his class. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing.

I had Mr. C for biology and zoology too. He was such a clear and organized teacher that he made learning easy.  I used his outlining tools for note-taking throughout college. I still remember the frogs, shark eyes and other class adventures. He tried to keep us using our probes just for their intended purposes, but we could also see his subtle smiles when we didn't.  He was a good teacher and I enjoyed living in his neighborhood.

Mr C was a wonderful man, teacher and friend. I enjoyed his class immensely. I will never forget him driving all the way from the coast to attend my mom’s funeral only to turn around and drive home after, all in the pouring rain. He meant a lot to so many and the younger generations are worse off for not getting to have him as a teacher and mentor. RIP Mr C. You are greatly missed. 


Erik Haugen

Dear Kathy and Family:

Larry was a great friend from high school and college days.  Our gang did many fun things together.  I would have attended his services but just found out that I missed it.

My wife Pat and I had breakfast with Larry last year in Clovis at the corner restaurant. We hadn't seen each other in many years.  It was like time never passed by, as we picked up just where we had left off many year ago.  You will be missed, my dear friend.

XOXOXO John and Pat Bakalian

Had Mr.C for Bio & Zo back in the 80’s at CW.  I enjoyed his classes and his humor.   Like when he wheeled out a human torso/head model with all the skin removed  to show the muscle groups, arteries etc.   He said “This was me after my divorce”.    Lol!   Nice guy and good teacher.  RIP sir.

As a member of Clovis West’s first graduating class, I was fortunate to have had Mr. C as my teacher for biology and zoology. I naturally had a love of science and being in his classes only compounded it. He had this way of making it fun and exciting, and inspiring you to study hard and do your best work. I remember well the dissections from worms to grasshoppers, frogs, and fetal pigs. 
I still remember tromping through the fields and orchards on Teague across the street from school  -catching bugs for our insect collection project. My fondest memory is of our field trip to the tide pools at the coast, where he found me reaching down shoulder deep pulling up all sorts of creatures. I remember him admonishing me to be careful as there could be things like eels down there-but that didn’t diminish my enthusiasm.  I was sure at that moment I wanted to be a marine biologist -I wish I would have pursued that path!  Fast forward to today -I have just started a new career teaching (substitute). I humbly aspire to be like him-to motivate and inspire and connect with students like he did. It is a hard job! 
From all of us who were lucky enough to be taught by you and call you friend-  RIP Mr. C- and know that you live on in all of us that you poured out into. You will always be my favorite teacher and most inspirational mentor and I will never forget you.  My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. C and family 💕🙏

Mr. C was one of a kind, and someone I have never forgotten. I am so grateful for his guidance and friendship, and he inspired me to learn and grow. In fact, he had such an impact on me, I chose to follow his path and became an educator myself. Thanks Mr. C for making a difference in so many lives. You will be forever missed!!
Love,

Kelly Thomason Magill

I started MR C’s classes starting in 1975 with social studies at Clark. He had a reputation of the toughest teacher at Clark. Students were so scared. I found that his style of teaching made the students want to not let him down so we worked even harder. 
I got lucky that he went to the new school in 1976 (CW). I took classes from him for 4 more years. 
When I went to college I found out that it was not so hard there. 
My note taking was the envy of my classes. (He gave that to me) 
Biology and Zoology was just a review. 
I found out later that there was no curriculum so he took his college notes and taught it to us. 
He loved to see a light bulb appear above our heads. His face just lit up then. 
He had a profound effect on my life and so many others. 
The world is a little dimmer now that he is gone. 


Such a wonderful person and educator. He will be missed by so many. RIP Mr. C...

Mr. C, as he was fondly known by his students, including myself, was one of the most influential teachers I had ever had the pleasure of meeting. I had him as a freshman in high school at Clovis West and took Zoology from him. Even after my one year as a student with him I continued being a Teachers assistant for him because I just loved him so much. His teachings went well beyond high school for me too. The note taking techniques he taught me were the same I used all throughout college and grad school. I went on to become a nurse practitioner in dermatology here in fresno where Mr. C was a patient and I was able to reconnect with him recently and be able to tell him to his face just how important he was to me. 
Mr. C was also my moms 8th grade science teacher at Clark intermediate and a good friend to my Significant other whom he enjoyed fishing with. He will be missed more than he knows. He was such a special human being. 

We met my first year at CW in your biology class , when I differed with you on one of your lectures and would not back down lol you told me to leave your class and come back when, I could bring proof of my argument lol then you later found out my true immaturity from skipping two grades lol.  I had found my true friend in you!  I respected you so much from the talks we would later have. You were the  guide  that instilled the confidence I very much needed and still to this day carry with me! Thank  you from the bottom of my heart Mr. C !!! 

There are no words to express the love I have for you and the devastation our family is feeling over this. Uncle Larry, you have always been like family to us. 

I am so honored to have had you as my Godfather— you have played such a significant role in my life. I miss you tremendously and I will carry you in my heart forever. 

Educator,Mentor, Friend.. 

Here I am feeling sorry for myself for not spending more time with you..

You touched my life and for that I'm grateful..

My deepest condolences to the family and all those you touched and left your mark on.

OBITUARY

Larry Thomas Constantino

February 27, 1945 – March 2, 2023

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

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