Larry F. Tradup

Larry Tradup, age 89, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away November 1, 2025, from heart failure at the Hospice Center in Swedish Hospital. Larry was born on December 31,1935, in Faribault, Minnesota, the son of the late Paul Tradup and Irene Tradup (later Schafflhuber). Larry was pre-deceased by his life partner Eduardo Izquierdo. Larry had four siblings; Sue, Ann, Paul, and John, all of whom pre-deceased him. Larry has numerous surviving nieces and nephews.

Larry was born in poverty during the Great Depression. His father died when he was 1, and he was raised mostly by a single mother with a family of 5 children in difficult financial times. Despite these hardships, Larry managed to attend the University of Minnesota and received his bachelor’s degree. He worked numerous jobs while in college, often 3 or 4 at a time, to pay for his room, board, and education. Upon graduation, he moved on his own to New York City. While living in New York City, he became a music teacher in Bergenfield, New Jersey, where he taught for the rest of his teaching career. When asked about his life, Larry always said he was a teacher. Larry engaged in a very active life while living in New York City. He attended opera, ballet, and choral events; he performed in theater; directed church choirs; and directed choral groups, including the Lakeside Choraliers. He was the music teacher on a New York City children’s television show; and when he entered the room, the children all sang “Hell-o Larr-y” and he would respond by singing “Hello, Boys and Girls.” People would sing this address to Larry on the streets of New York City for many years after the show ended.

Larry retired from teaching and moved to Florida, where he conducted the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and made many new friends. Thereafter, he moved to Chicago, where he became active in the square-dancing community as a teacher and caller, traveling to conventions around the country. He also made an Aids Memorial Quilt in honor of Eduardo, and the quilt is part of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt that was displayed at the National Mall.

Larry was a kind and generous person with a vibrant personality who loved life. He traveled to many places and made new friends wherever he went.

Larry requested that there be no services and that his body be cremated. Those wishes were honored.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options in Schiller Park, Illinois.