Larry Baczeski

Larry A. Baczeski

At age 57, Larry suddenly slipped away from us on Sept. 18, 2013, to go play his beloved "Jeopardy" with the angels, confident he could beat them at any memory game. Born July 23, 1956, in Perth Amboy, N.J., Larry was born to converse and make music. Just this summer, a second album of songs that his pioneering synthesizer band xex had recorded in the early 1980s was published, along with a DVD of the group performing at a club in New York. He died at his home of 13 years in Oakland.

An environmental chemist by profession, Larry could hold his own on nearly any topic, from geography, to history, the weather and our damaged planet. He always hoped for the best but saw the dark side, too. Larry was drawn to horror movies, roller coasters, boogie-boarding in Hawaii, flying in a small plane over Mount St. Helens and scuba diving.

One of Larry's proudest moments was being a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in 2000, with his parents in the audience. He didn't win the big bucks but he was still wearing the TV show's souvenir T-shirt more than a decade later.

Larry leaves behind his partner of 30 years, Dean Lokken; his mother Helen Baczeski, of South River, N.J.; brother Leon A. Baczeski Jr., of Southbury, Conn.; sisters Christina Crum of Plainsboro, N.J., and Celeste Suminsby of Albuquerque, N.M., and four nieces and four nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Leon Baczeski, and his sister Constance.

An informal gathering of friends, neighbors and co-workers is planned for 3-5 p.m. Sunday 9/29/2013 in Oakland's Mosswood Park. Larry's ashes will be scattered at sea on a day when the weather meets his approval.

Albert Brown Mortuary FD242

510-652-1873