Lawrence J. "Larry" Perkins

Lawrence Perkins Obituary

LAWRENCE J. PERKINS "LARRY" LANSING, IL Lawrence J. "Larry" Perkins, age 61, of Lansing, passed away Wednesday, November 24, 2010. He is survived by his mother, Arline; sister, Jaci (George) Kalandadse and her family; aunt, Dorothy (Jim) Dixon and her family; and many loving friends. Preceded in death by his father, Jack Perkins. As a member of the U.S. Navy, he served in the Mediterranean. After his naval service, he returned to the Chicago area and began his lifelong interest in the theater. He was stage manager at Second City and also spent several years associated with the Goodman Theater. He worked throughout the United States and Canada in the theater. Larry dedicated the last few years of his life to the support and care of his mother. A memorial service will be held at a future date where family and friends will have an opportunity to share memories of Larry's life. Final arrangements are being made by the Burns-Kish Funeral Home in Munster, IN. www.burnskish.com

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Published by The Times on Nov. 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Perkins

10 Entries

Francie

July 10, 2011

I just heard the news and my heart is heavy with sorrow. He will always have a special place in my heart. He will be missed.
Francie

Brian Delker

December 28, 2010

My sympathies to the Perkins family. He will be missed by all of us!
Brian Delker

Mike Hagerty

December 13, 2010

I worked with Perk in Chicago and in Toronto on a musical version of "Harvey". He was a great guy. The last time I saw him was a year ago at the 50th anniversary of Second City.
We were all happy to be there but somehow he seemed the happiest. Thanks Perk.

Al Greenfield

December 13, 2010

Dear Mrs. Perkins,

It has taken me this long to respond to the news of Larry's passing because I am still in shock. There are very few people who live every moment and to think of him gone is almost too much.
Jack Weirs and I spent so much time in your home hanging out that you probably wondered if we would ever leave! I have many wonderful memories of your family and home. Dinners, late nights, listening to music or recording crazy improvisational bits. Your son was one of the funniest guys I ever met and I can still hear his voice resonating when he would hit someone with a zinger. When he was with Second City I would often visit and marvel at the site my old friend who seemed to have truly found his purpose in life.
Although Larry and I hadn't seen each other in a while he has always in my thoughts. He as one of my best friends.
I will miss him.
Please send my condolences to his extended family as my thoughts and prayers are with you and Jaci.

December 7, 2010

Memorial Service for Lawrence "Perk" will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8th @ 2pm. It will be at Burns and Kish Funeral Home, 8415 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 815-836-5000. We hope you can all make it.

December 7, 2010

Just a note to all that view this obituary. Lawrence's Memorial Service will be at Burns and Kish Funeral Home, Saturday January 8th @ 2pm. they are located at 8415 Calument Avenue, Munster, IN 219-836-5000

December 2, 2010

Arline,
Your son made a difference in my life.
Perk, as he was invariably known at the Second City, gave me an invaluable chance to work and learn in that theatre he so loved.
He of course was the Stage Manager there, and I got to be his assistant.
For a couple years I was able to observe in action his talent, and the talent of the enormously gifted performers on stage then.
What a chance he gave me.
I didn't say "love" lightly, Arline. Perk relished being part of the Second City. Enjoying all aspects of stage managing, and doing it so very well. Right through organizing the improv set in the wee fuzzy late hours.
What fun Perk had!
What an example he set, of what life can be when you're right where you should be.
Oh and Perk made a difference in my Uncle's life too.
When Perk found out I had an Uncle who had spent his whole adult life working for the railroad....well, Aline, I don't have to tell you how Perk came alight then.
Perk was eager to visit my Uncle. Yes to share his own railroad memorys, but first and foremost to hear my Uncle talk.
My uncle loved Perk's company. Talking, visiting, sharing his memories with such an appreciative listener!
My Uncle gave Perk a railroad calendar, full of handwritten notes about the trains depicted, and Perk showed it to me as a treasured possession.
Arline, my Uncle thanks you, Second City thanks you, and I thank you.
You had a good son.
Ellen L. Fogle

December 2, 2010

On Monday, Tim, Bruce and I happened to be watching one of our vintage Second City shows on Dvd. It included the last scene of a second show Saturday night set. Perk (from his booth) suddenly became the "Voice of God" to mercifully help us save a struggling scene by giving us a perfect "out". Seeing this we laughed and had a wonderful memory of Perk. Now we hear this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family from members of his Second City family. Nancy Kelly, Tim Kazurinsky and Bruce Jarchow

Ron West

December 1, 2010

Perk was still around The Second City occasionally when I was in the touring company in the 1980s. He filled in as a stage manager a few times for us, he directed a funny show called Staring Back, featuring a cast of disabled people, and would come and watch the improvisations, laughing loudly...at the set ups, rather than the pay offs. One night he visited the show in the ETC with his dog in tow. The dog got loose and came on stage, so I picked him up and carried him around as we continued the dialogue. Then our musical director's toddler walked on stage, so I made the child my assistant in the scene. It was a lot of fun to have full license to yell at a child. I am very glad I saw Perk last year at the SC 50th.

November 30, 2010

Arline and family,

So very sorry to hear the passing of Larry. I remember him well as one of my first students.

Michael Drobnak

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