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Lawrence West Obituary

WEST, LAWRENCE E. JR. 74, a retired school teacher and coach for 28 years, died Saturday, December 6, 2014 at home with his family by his side. Born in Providence, a son of the late Lawrence E. and Dorothy (Wyman) West, he had been a resident of Warwick for 60 years before moving to Narragansett. He was a former Marine Reserve and received the Leather Neck Award. A Physical Education instructor at Warwick Veterans Memorial High School he began his coaching career in 1964. Larry was a renowned wrestling coach, and his team won several state and New England titles. He was the first to coach any Warwick High School team to a New England Title and was inducted into the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1996. He also coached football, tennis and track. Larry was an avid shell fisherman for over 25 years, and master clam baker. He taught his children about perseverance, hard work, and the value of a dollar. His eyes sparkled just like Santa and he will be remembered for his storytelling. He leaves behind his former wife and mother of his eight children Dolores Ellen Wilcox West. He loved his children Dawn, Heidi, Larry, Heather, Holly, Jonathan, Daniel, and Gretchen. He was a brother of William West and Sandra Allinson. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 4-7 pm in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. His Graveside service will be private. Memorial contributions can be made in Larry's name to the Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904. Online condolences and information, kindly visit www.QuinnFuneralHome.com.

Published by The Providence Journal on Dec. 8, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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What a terrible loss. Everyone @ Warwick Vets High liked and respected Mr. West. Students looked up to him and seemed to always listen to what he said. I feel fortunate to have been at the school 73-77 when we had the greatest group of gym teachers ever.

Tom Hawkins

December 31, 2014

Sorry to hear the passing of Larry..my thoughts to the family...R.I.P.

Kathy Ryan

December 20, 2014

great guy

Ed Venditelli

December 17, 2014

Larry,
I was really sorry to hear about your father, my condolences to you and your family.

joe wesson

December 16, 2014

Heidi, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. May he rest in peace.

Carol Casale (Kim Covill's mother)

Carol Casale

December 14, 2014

Heidi and family, Bob and I are so very sorry for your loss. May He rest in peace. Paula and Bob Stein

December 11, 2014

Dan and family
So sorry for your loss. Larry was a good guy always busy and having some fun. Dan you took great care of your dad towards the end and you should be highly commended for your efforts. Now Dan go out and live your life to its fullest! Thinking of you in your time of sorrow
My Best to you
Wendy

Wendy Miller

December 11, 2014

I had Mr. West as a teacher he was one of the best. He always told jokes and had a great sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers to the West family.
William Harlow
Class of 89.

William

December 11, 2014

Mr.West was my wrestling coach an friend for four years at WVMHS. He even took us all on a camping trip. He was a great man, I will miss him.

Mike Breard

December 11, 2014

Mr. West wasn't my high school gym teacher but what he was was my best friend's dad. I know my dear friend Heidi got so much of his simple pleasures from dad. He raised eight amazing talented beautiful children and for some reason reminded me of my own dad. He loved the sea and loved his kids. God speed Mr. West.

Donna Beneduce

December 10, 2014

To Heidi and family i'm so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family armand + kathy lapierre

December 10, 2014

RIP Coach - you made such an impact on so many lives........

Donna Prout

December 10, 2014

Heaven has gained a great man

December 10, 2014

West Family,
Sorry for the loss of a great man. Mr West made everyday enjoyable. He had great times with all of his teaching friends. RIP

Bob McGuirl "84"

December 10, 2014

Our condolences to the West family and friends. Mr. West has blessed all with a beautiful family and he will truely be missed. It was a pleasure to have spent time with you, loads of laughs!! RIP. Corky Benavides

December 10, 2014

Mr. West was the best. I loved him as my teacher. He always made everything fun and lots of laughter. Lucky I got to still see him around from time to time. R.I.P.

Eleanor Hanley-Wilson

December 10, 2014

In behalf of my family, I would like to thank all of you for your loving thoughts and prayers. It's nice to know everyone shares our thoughts about our father. He will be missed by all of us....let his smile and warm heart be with us all during the holidays?? for those of you that can't make it to his wake, we understand. Rest in Peace Dad

Heidi

December 10, 2014

Mr. West was one of my favorite teachers.His sense of humor was the BEST! Thoughts & Prayers go out to his family. God Bless Mr. West!

Rebecca Cook-Leveillee

December 10, 2014

Dear Jonathan, I am so sorry about your father I know he definitely taught you perservance. Dan I will be praying for you I'm so sorry for you honey I KNOW he was your best FRIEND. xxxoo

Pami Alise Borders

December 9, 2014

Please accept my deepest condolences I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you.

Delores Izbicki

December 9, 2014

R.I.P Mr West enjoyed having you as a teacher may God Bless your family

December 9, 2014

Teacher and coach, I very much enjoyed his way. And we can read here that many others agree. Great presence, sense of humor and a full of heart. All the Best. RIP

Peter Gill

December 9, 2014

My condolences to my cousins and their families and to Aunt Dee, and to my dad, and my Aunt Sandy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I'll always remember his smile when he would greet you hello. Also, He made the best red clam chowder around. Love you all

Joann West

December 9, 2014

A gentle giant of a man. He was understanding of those students who were PE impaired.

Edward Luciano

December 9, 2014

One of the first TKE brothers I met in 1963 at URI. A real gentle giant of a man. I will keep him in my prayers. God Bless. Mike Cappuccilli,TKE brother, URI67

mike Cappuccilli

December 9, 2014

Larry was a true friend and fellow coach. It was a pleasure to know him.

george yeomans

December 9, 2014

I regret not being able to pay my respects to a former Marine buddy. Larry exemplified the "Semper Fi" spirit that has made us great for 239 years.

Bob Mc Clellan

Robert Mc Clellan

December 9, 2014

A great guy and gym teacher who performed many private, unspoken, kindnesses. Our condolences to his family.

Keith Wahl

December 9, 2014

Our sincerest condolences to Dolores and her family in your loss.

Wayne and Janet Wilcox

December 9, 2014

RIP Coach I'll never forget the great big smile you always brought everytime I spoke to you.

Eddy Santilli

December 9, 2014

My condolences to the West family, He was a great gym teacher and friend.

Cheryl Devlin

December 9, 2014

I am sadden to hear of the passing of Coach West. He was a great man and a great coach and teacher. My condolences go out to his wife, children and family. May they find peace during their time of grieving. Rest in peace Coach West
Class of '85'

Scott Huddleston

December 9, 2014

God bless you Mr. West you will be missed.

Tracey Orme (Steele)

December 9, 2014

God, bless your family so sorry for your loss. Mr. West was the best, always understanding and always had a beautiful smile. He made vets a fun place to be. He will be greatly missed. Class of 1985

Tracey Orme,(Steele)

December 9, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with the West family, Mr.West was a amazing teacher and coach. He made high school so much better, RIP Coach
Class of '85'

Scott Huddleston

December 9, 2014

Sorry to hear of Mr. West's passing. He was such an amazing guy, full of life, lots of laughs and was an icon at Warwick Vets. Everyone knew and loved him...condolences going out to the family, he will be missed by many! RIP Larry!!

Kristen Johnson DaRosa

December 8, 2014

What a great coach, gym teacher, and all around nice guy! So sorry to hear about his passing. God bless Larry!

Helen Phillips

December 8, 2014

So sorry for the west family a great all around guy great wrestling coach learned so much from him can't say enough

mitch kuras

December 8, 2014

sorry for your loss he was a fun and caring teacher past student from the class of 86

December 8, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with the West family, Mr.West was a amazing teacher. He made high school so much better, RIP Mr West.

Carolyn Davenport

December 8, 2014

Very sorry to hear of the loss of Coach West. He was a great coach who kept us laughing and who treated every grappler like a friend. I was on many teams growing up but the Vet's Wrestling team was by far the closest knit team I was a part of. Thanks Larry! Class of '82

Frank Hopton

December 8, 2014

I am sadden to hear of the passing of Mr. West. He was a great man and a great teacher. My condolences go out to his wife, children and family. May they find peace during their time of grieving. Rest in peace Mr. West.

Gina Turchetta Cabeceiras

December 8, 2014

My sincere condolences to Larry's family.
We have been friends since our early teens and continued as teammates and classmates at WVMHS. He was very much liked and respected by my parents, my siblings and my wife. He taught me the importance of perseverance and hard work at practice. While big and strong in body, he was always warm and considerate of all others. Since I live in California, I have not had the pleasure of seeing Larry too often since HS graduation but I was fortunate to have had dinner with him about 6 years ago.
I will miss my periodic contact with him but will remember him forever. RIP my good friend.

Hank Gauthier

December 8, 2014

Very sorry to hear of Coach West's passing. He was a great mentor and friend to all that wrestled for him. He always kept wrestling fun, even when there were days when wrestling can not be so much fun! Thoughts and Prayers are with the family. He will always hold a special place in my heart. RIP Coach!!

December 8, 2014

Condolences to the West family. I just wanted to say that Larry was fun and caring teacher he has touched all our hearts a Warwick Veterans HS. "Class of 85"

Paul Hanley

December 8, 2014

Rip coach

James szydlo

December 8, 2014

I'm sorry for your family's loss. Mr. West was my gym teacher at Warwick Veterans back in the 80 ' s

Renee White.

December 8, 2014

My deepest condolence to the family. I will always remember the close relationship that he and Ken shared as wrestling coaches and friends. Larry was a loving,kind and caring man.

Jackie Court

December 8, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. West was a great man. He will be missed

Dawn Bergeron

December 8, 2014

My condolences to the West family, he was a great teacher and friend in the shellfishing days.

Bill Tweedy

December 8, 2014

Sorry for your loss. Larry West was a great man . You will never be forgotten. Class of " 82 ".

Glenn Davenport

December 8, 2014

Mr. West....You are still a big part of my high school stories. I am so saddened to hear of your passing. However, you touched so many lives in WVMHS (class of 1980) and you helped me out a number of times!! You were a blast!! :) Fly with the angels/Rest In Paradise~ Thoughts and prayers to your family & loved ones. God Bless!!

Tracy (Moran) Nickerson

December 8, 2014

West Family, sorry to read of Larry's passing. He was a good guy and a lot of laughs. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Sincerely, Joe mancini

December 8, 2014

Best teacher ever..

Audra Carnes-Goyette

December 8, 2014

So sorry. He was such a great guy and teacher. Me as 43 can still remember him, that tells you something.. He was a good teacher and wish there were more like him. RIP

December 8, 2014

So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He was a great teacher and man who loved his children

Debra Fraime

December 8, 2014

Mr. West was the most awesome teacher and person! I have very fond memories of gym class! Then years later I meet up with him again at the Oaks bar and he told me to call him Larry and it felt so weird! He was very funny and always understanding. A loss to many. My sincerest condolences to Mr. West's (Larry's) family.

Jennifer Harritos

December 8, 2014

My deepest condolences to Larry's family.Very nice man and teacher.

Debra Fraime

December 8, 2014

To the family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mr. West was one of my favorite teachers at Vets. He was a great guy, who will be remembered fondly by many

Marjorie Murphy

December 8, 2014

I was saddened to hear of Mr. West passing. He was a great teacher and helped me many times. My condolences to his family. Warwick Vets class of 82

Pamela Sadler

December 8, 2014

I am sorry for your loss . Larry West was a great man. You will never be forgotten . Class of "82" .

Glenn Davenport

December 8, 2014

My deepest condolences to his family! Mr. West was a wonderful man, and teacher!! May he R.I.P.

Dawn Salisbury

December 8, 2014

Very sorry to hear of the passing of an old friend Larry West. My sympathies to the entire West family.Sorry I cannot give my condolences personnally because of knee surgery. Rest in peace old friend.

Tony Bruno

December 8, 2014

Had Mr. West for Health class. So sorry for your loss. Maribeth Selwyn Brouillette (Plano, Tx.)

December 8, 2014

He was a great teacher. Sincere sympathy to his entire family. Cheryl Picard, class of 1984

December 8, 2014

such a great man... enjoyed having him as a gym teacher at Vets! my condolences to all of his family and friends

Christine (Pearson) Mastroianni

December 8, 2014

I had Mr. West for Wrestling and For Gym when I was at Vets in the 70's, I always remember him as a very nice man and very nice teacher. My condolences go out to him, his family and friends.

Doug Covill

December 8, 2014

Frank Sollitto

December 8, 2014

All around great guy. Loved to joke around, but when it came to wrestling, no kidding around. Always had the utmost respect for Mr. West and his family! You will be missed!

Todd Seaback

December 8, 2014

May peace be with you. My condolences to the West at this difficult time.

Dawn Flowers

December 8, 2014

Prayers & thoughts to his family & friends. Mr. West was a great teacher & man. He will be missed by so many

Sandy F

December 8, 2014

Mr. West was a good man, one of the best Gym teachers I ever had. My condolences to the West Family.

Curtis Lambert II

December 8, 2014

Mr West, you were an awesome gym teacher and will be missed by many RIP

Tracy Gauvin

December 8, 2014

My sincere sympathy to Larry's family as I remember his many years of dedication, commitment, as well as assistance to my late husband, Haig, to the RI and NE Interscholastic Wrestling programs.

Anahid Varadian

December 8, 2014

R.I.P Mr West. The best Gym Teacher ever. Laurie Class of 86

Laurie Maroney

December 8, 2014

RIP Mr West.my prayers to the family

Toni Masterson

December 8, 2014

So sorry to hear of your passing you were the best gym teacher in vets.you will be missed.fly with the angels,

mabel davis

December 8, 2014

To the family and friends of Larry .. I am lost with words for your loss .. I will not be able to attend the services .. Larry was a awesome guy to say the least .. Good memories at Vets .. He will be remembered by all .. My condolences to his family .. R.I.P Larry

David Conroy

December 8, 2014

My deepest condolences. Coach West left an immeasurable mark on those of us who passed through the halls of WVMHS. His skills as a coach and mentor put us on the wrestling map, as evidenced by the countless championship banners that hang from the rafters. He will forever be remembered for his quick wit and hearty laugh. Rest in peace Coach West and thank you for being you!

David Crenca

December 8, 2014

Mr. West, I'm so sorry for your loss.

John Schmitt

December 8, 2014

Dear Larry West Family:
My sincere condolences on the loss of Larry, who was my friend and fellow graduate at WVMHS, and a talented all-state tackle on our football team. Love and peace at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Tony Ruggiero
Portsmouth, RI

Anthony Ruggiero

December 8, 2014

Thoughts and prayers from the Chase family!

John Chase

December 8, 2014

Dear West family...Sorry to learn of the passing of Larry, a close friend and fraternity brother from our days at URI. May your memories be blessed ones.

Alex Covell

December 8, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Quinn Funeral Home - Warwick (a.k.a. Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel)

2435 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI 02889

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