Lawrence Joseph Laskowski

Lawrence Joseph Laskowski (also known as Larry, Lar, Coach, Dad, Abuelo, Uncle, Brother) passed away peacefully at home on January 8th, 2026. In his final days, Larry was surrounded with love and comforted by the presence of his wife, children, and granddaughters, thus fulfilling his final wishes.

Larry was born March 7, 1955 in Binghamton, New York to Leonard "Lenny" Laskowski of Polish descent and Helen McCabe Laskowski of Irish descent. Larry was the third child and oldest son of Lenny and Helen's ten children. The Laskowski family moved to Melbourne, FL in 1965 where Larry attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Melbourne Central Catholic High School, and Brevard Community College before receiving his B.S. in Health and Physical Education at Florida State University in 1978. Voted "Most Athletic" by his senior high school classmates, Larry excelled as an athlete from a young age and dedicated his entire professional life to coaching football, strength and conditioning, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. An esteemed colleague and father-figure for many, Larry loved to coach ball and get right in the weight room, all the while knowing that his work was bigger than the games he prepared athletes to play. He took the mission of helping shape future generations seriously and invested countless hours throughout his 40+ years of coaching into developing athletic programs that instilled strength, discipline, dedication, and teamwork in young athletes.

From his early days of coaching at his alma mater, MCC, through his 22 years of coaching at Rockledge High School, Larry always led by example with unforgettable intensity and a gift for communication. He inspired people to dig deep, stick together, and "get after it" both on and off the field. Whether he was motivating his team to rise to the occasion with epic speeches, providing guidance and counsel to loved ones, or making people laugh with his playful banter and character impersonations, Larry knew how to reach people and bring out the best in them. The Force was strong with this one.

As a devout Catholic and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Larry led his family with love, fierce commitment, and an adventurous, child-like spirit. Larry inspired athletic grit and the power of play in his own children and grandchildren, finding tremendous joy in coaching them and watching them play a multitude of sports. Larry adored his wife and high school sweetheart, Mary Pat, to whom he was happily married for over forty-five years. They traveled extensively together with loved ones throughout the US, Europe, and British Virgin Islands, reveling in natural beauty, and taking the best selfies once Larry finally got rid of his flip phone.

Outside of coaching, Larry always kept his mind and body active with an inspiring zest for life; reading books, mastering crossword puzzles, watching sports games (Go Noles!), tending to firepits, lifting weights, cycling, kayaking, hiking, and visiting the ocean often. Larry had a profound connection with the ocean, spending many hours at the beach with family and friends throughout his life; celebrating every sunrise, throwing frisbee like a champ, swimming in the ocean and teaching his children how to ride the waves, survive the current, and enjoy the wonders of what he called the "best playground in the world". Larry became an avid gardener as he approached retirement, delighting in the process of growing vegetables and herbs. With great enthusiasm for putting delicious food on the table for his loved ones, Larry mastered the

art of grilling, making Sunday morning breakfast after church, and concocting crockpot chili and bbq baked beans for many Laskowski family parties.

A true legend, Larry built a strong network of great relationships which enriched his life until the very end. Larry's powerful presence, joyous laughter, empowering words, resounding whistle, and loving bear hugs live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him. He will be deeply missed.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Pat; his beloved children, Chris, Cara, Carly, Michael, and Lorelis; his beloved grandchildren, Catalina and Cara; his beloved siblings, Peggy (Rick), Terry (Rob), Tim (Michelle), Tom (Melissa), Mike (Maggie), Patty (Mike), Julie (Fred), Peter, Jimmy (Fran); his beloved inlaws, Ellen (David), Tom (Michelle), Anne (Mark); and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Larry was predeceased by his parents Lenny and Helen Laskowski; his nephew Nicholas Laskowski; and his father and mother in-law, Tim and Mary Eason.

Mary Pat Laskowski has requested donations instead of flowers for any of the causes listed below:

1. Rockledge Raider Quarterback Club

P.O. Box 560012

Rockledge, FL 32956 www.rockledgeraiderquarterbackclub.com

2. Rolling Readers Space Coast

Palm Bay High Magnet School

Portable #27

101 Pirate Lane

Melbourne, FL 32901 www.rollingreadersspacecoast.org

3. The MCC Fund www.melbournecc.org

Choose "Donate" then "Class of 1973 Memorial Scholarship"

A funeral mass will be held for Larry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL on February 14th, 2026 at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life and lunch buffet will follow at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom, 2605 N Highway A1A Indialantic from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.