Lawrence Edward Danaj

And he could always make people laugh.

Larry was born on February 5, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. On June 21, 2026, Larry passed away at the age of 71, leaving behind a family who adored him, friends who cherished him, and enough stories to last several lifetimes.

He had a joke for every occasion. He found humor in just about everything and somehow knew exactly when it was needed most. If Larry was there, you knew things were going to take longer than planned. Not because anything had gone wrong, but because there were conversations to have, stories to tell, and people to get to know.

Storytelling was one of Larry's greatest talents. If he began with "Ya see, the thing is..." you knew it was time to settle in. If he promised he'd "try to keep it brief..." that was unlikely. Oftentimes, he'd begin with "Ya gotta understand..." and then take you on a journey filled with side stories, colorful characters, unnecessary-but-essential details, and a punchline that usually made the whole thing worth it. If you ever asked him why he hadn't returned a call, finished a project, or arrived when he said he would, there was a good chance you'd be met with an emphatic, "I BEEN BUSY."

Rules, in Larry's view, were often more of a suggestion. Schedules were flexible. Conversations were never finished when they were supposed to be. And goodbyes were rarely quick.

In fact, Larry was almost always the last person to leave the party.

Long after everyone else had gathered their coats and headed home, Larry would still be there-talking, laughing, telling one more story, making one more person feel seen. He never wanted the night to end.

That remained true until his last day.

His absence leaves a silence that feels impossible. But, even now, it is hard to be entirely sad when thinking about him. Every memory comes with a joke. Every story leads to another story.

Larry is survived by his daughters, Christine (Damon) Lucenta Lauren (Nick) Mardeusz , and Michelle Danaj (Jake Meier); his son, Alex Danaj; his granddaughters, Cora, June, and Eleanor; sisters Pam (Gary) Malo, Sue (Bill) Wright and Beth Burke, and his Brother Tim (Lorraine) Danaj. He is preceded in death by his parents Bertha and Ted Danaj.

The family finds comfort imagining that now, in heaven, Larry has already reunited with everyone, launched into a story, ignored the clock entirely, and started with, “Ya see, the thing is...”

And knowing Larry, he's still not keeping it brief.

A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 12100 Beech Daly, Redford Township, Michigan 48239. Larry's family will receive visitors on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 pm. Visiting will continue at Church on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass at 11:00 am. A burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W 10 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033