James Lawrence "Larry" Collinge

Anacortes - Larry Collinge April 4,1944 - August 27, 2024

Larry Collinge, Fixit Man, Motor Cyclist turned E-Biker, Opinionated, Bigger Than Life, and Passionate about all things, a Good Friend and Great Neighbor, has moved on in the great mystery which is life. His big heart just ran its course on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:30pm. His children, Iris, Max, daughter in law Sarah and I were with him. We played his favorite poet and singer, John Prine, and sang along a bit through the tears.

Larry was born in Tacoma, grew up in West Seattle and Bothell. Larry spent time in the Sea Bees which took him to Thailand, before things got rolling in Viet Nam. He learned how to weld while in the service and joined the Iron Workers Union 405 in Seattle. During his 30 years as an Iron Worker, he worked on many of Seattle's iconic buildings, including the King Dome. Bridges were a favorite of his, including the Astoria- Megler Bridge, the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

During a break from construction, Larry met me in San Francisco in the Fall of 1968. Larry bought a delivery motorcycle there and worked as a courier in "The City". I dropped out of school at San Francisco State where the free speech movement was heating up; it made it difficult to get to class in the midst of the chaos. Many people were departing from the Haight-Ashbury scene and going to the country. Larry and I "split the scene" and went to "Maggie's Farm" in Sonoma County. We married there on June 21, 1969; it was a whirlwind romance that ended up lasting through better and worse for 55 years.

We moved up to Washington State, starting married life on a house boat that Larry had owned, complete with sauna. Larry's longtime friend Ray Sly, and wife, Diane, lived next door.

After several moves, we ended up building a log cabin on Snee Oosh Road, near La Conner, where we lived for 35 years while raising our children. Many hands helped with the building of this home; Bo Miller helped Larry figure out many of the architectural ideas . Larry actually built a model house to figure out how all those logs would go together.

While living on Snee Oosh Road, we bought the old 1890's Tavern in 1984. We owned the tavern for a year and a half and bringing top flight musicians to the Valley. Our last night in the restaurant business was New Year's Eve, 1985. It was a stressful, heady experience but we held onto each other through the ride. The tavern was sold in January 1986

While in our log cabin, we ventured out in our boat for several trips up the BC coast with their friends, Art and Mary Hodgins. Two couples, two small boats, a glorious time was had by all.

After moving to Anacortes in 2012, Larry joined a hearty group of Fixit Guys and Gals at the Saturday Market, working on repairing a whole range of household items. The Fixit Folks, organized by Eric Shen, are part of Transition Fidalgo that does many fine things for the Anacortes Community.

For the past 23 years we have spent our winters in Melaque, Mexico, enjoying the good company of others from both Canada and the US and our many Melaque Friends. Our children and grandchildren, Hannah and Sadie, made regular visits. Larry's ashes will be scattered in the bay in front of our Mexico home. First thing in the morning, Larry would swim in those waters just about everyday. We will have a fiesta in Melaque in January to celebrate his life.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Rennie and Maxine Collinge. His memory will live on with daughter Iris, son Max, daughter in law Sarah, granddaughter's Hannah Beth and Sadie May, sisters Sharon Wallace and Joanne and Ron Bucklin and nieces and nephews. I will hold Larry's enthusiasm for life in my heart. He lived life to the fullest.

You can remember Larry by contributing to

TRANSITION FIDALGO

Mission is to foster resilient communities in the

face of climate change

P.O. Box 62

Anacortes WA 98221

transitionfidalgo.org