Lawrence "Larry" Slater Sr

Lawrence V. "Larry" Slater Sr., 77, of Mansfield and Port Orange, FL, husband of Elizabeth "Beth Ann" Greene Slater, died Friday February 11, 2005 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was born February 22, 1927 in Windham, the son of the late Ernest and Blanche (Russ) Slater and had lived in Mansfield all his life. He attended Windham High School and was a Navy veteran. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Willimantic, the Masonic Lodge in Merrow and NCT, a Masonic camping organization and also a member of the V.F.W. Larry was the owner for over 54 years of Slater Caterers, a division of Larrys Lunch, from which he never fully retired. He kept active and was a valuable asset to the now family run business. His greatest joy in his life was his family, to which he was never shy to let them know how proud he was of them, along with letting them know he loved them. Larry was also a dad and grandfather to many of his children's and grandchildren's friends and their children. One of his greatest loves was his lifetime of motorcycling, which he fully enjoyed until very recently. He just loved to ride with his family members and his friends. He had the most wonderful spirit to stay young and was like a magnet to younger people with motorcycle and racing interests. He wintered at his Florida home very near Daytona Beach where he could ride his bike all winter long and was in one of the racing capitols of the south. In addition to his wife, Beth Ann, he leaves four children, Lawrence V. Slater Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Mansfield, Kimberlee Lizee and her husband Steven of Windham Center, Gerald Slater and Lesley, and Heidi Slater, both from Mansfield along with Robin Ives who he lovingly called his daughter. He also leaves two brothers, Donald Slater of Florida, Norman Slater of Scotland and a sister Marilyn Slater of Mansfield. He was predeceased by a brother Roland. He also leaves 11 grandchildren and his beautiful golden retriever, Buffy, that he just adored. His family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic on February 25, 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held February 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Mansfield Center Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contributions the Greater Connecticut Chapter of MS, 705 North Mountain Rd., Newington, CT 06111 or the First Congregational Church of Willimantic, 199 Valley St., Willimantic, CT 06226 or a charity of the donor s choice. Please visit www.potterfh.com for directions and online memorial guestbook.