Lawrence McNellis
Lawrence McNellis
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Lawrence McNellis Obituary
Visit the Fuller Funeral Home & Cremation Service - North Naples website to view the full obituary.
Lawrence (Larry) McNellis 1937 - 2026
If anyone knew how to soak up the most of life it was our Dad, Lawrence (Larry) McNellis. Born in Waterbury, CT, he was the middle child of five in an Irish Catholic family.
His adventurous spirit and mischievous streak began early. He might have become a professional pool shark if his parents hadn't insisted he attend school instead of sneaking off to shoot pool! He attended Niagara University before enlisting in the United States Army Reserves, proudly serving his country.
A natural athlete, he was a college champion diver, a swimmer, a 13-time marathoner, and a passionately skilled golfer. He carried a special light about him. His smiling eyes and a devilish smirk…there wasn't a room he walked into or a course he walked onto that he didn't greet with a smile that drew people in. He loved people, loved conversation, laughed easily and loved sharing stories, likely because he had so many great ones to tell. People often say the same thing when they remember him, that he was an amazing man and they were honored to know him. And that is exactly how he lived: leaving people better for having met him.
He took great pride in the life he built with the love of his life, Judie. Their love story spanned more than six decades and was the foundation for everything that followed. His greatest pride was his family. He instilled in his children Lisa McNellis (Kim Root) of East Haddam CT, Laurie Sansone (Vinny) of Cheshire CT, Monica Johnson (Bobby) of Cumming GA, Lawrence McNellis Jr. (Jen) of Milford CT, Shannon Engel (Chris) of Milford CT, the value of faith, dedication, hard work, service, loyalty, and love for family.
He had a natural athleticism and competitive spirit and lived by the mantra "Strong Like Bull." More importantly he showed us and his grandchildren how to live with
integrity, show up for others, and enjoy life along the way. Those values are now woven into the fabric of the family he and Judie built together, and they remain one of his greatest legacies.
He passed peacefully on March 13th, just shy of his 89th birthday after a life well lived. His family takes great comfort knowing he is now reunited with his beloved Judie, "that pretty girl in the yellow dress."
He will always be remembered as the best there ever was, because to his family, including 19 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, he truly was.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for early this summer in CT.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples FL 34105. https://www.classy.org/give/544918/#!/donation/checkout
Lisa, Laurie, Monica, Larry and Shannon
If anyone knew how to soak up the most of life it was our Dad, Lawrence (Larry) McNellis. Born in Waterbury, CT, he was the middle child of five in an Irish Catholic family.
His adventurous spirit and mischievous streak began early. He might have become a professional pool shark if his parents hadn't insisted he attend school instead of sneaking off to shoot pool! He attended Niagara University before enlisting in the United States Army Reserves, proudly serving his country.
A natural athlete, he was a college champion diver, a swimmer, a 13-time marathoner, and a passionately skilled golfer. He carried a special light about him. His smiling eyes and a devilish smirk…there wasn't a room he walked into or a course he walked onto that he didn't greet with a smile that drew people in. He loved people, loved conversation, laughed easily and loved sharing stories, likely because he had so many great ones to tell. People often say the same thing when they remember him, that he was an amazing man and they were honored to know him. And that is exactly how he lived: leaving people better for having met him.
He took great pride in the life he built with the love of his life, Judie. Their love story spanned more than six decades and was the foundation for everything that followed. His greatest pride was his family. He instilled in his children Lisa McNellis (Kim Root) of East Haddam CT, Laurie Sansone (Vinny) of Cheshire CT, Monica Johnson (Bobby) of Cumming GA, Lawrence McNellis Jr. (Jen) of Milford CT, Shannon Engel (Chris) of Milford CT, the value of faith, dedication, hard work, service, loyalty, and love for family.
He had a natural athleticism and competitive spirit and lived by the mantra "Strong Like Bull." More importantly he showed us and his grandchildren how to live with
integrity, show up for others, and enjoy life along the way. Those values are now woven into the fabric of the family he and Judie built together, and they remain one of his greatest legacies.
He passed peacefully on March 13th, just shy of his 89th birthday after a life well lived. His family takes great comfort knowing he is now reunited with his beloved Judie, "that pretty girl in the yellow dress."
He will always be remembered as the best there ever was, because to his family, including 19 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, he truly was.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for early this summer in CT.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples FL 34105. https://www.classy.org/give/544918/#!/donation/checkout
Lisa, Laurie, Monica, Larry and Shannon
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