“On Sunday afternoon, May 5, 2019, the beloved stalwart and rock of our family, Lawrence B. Chesbrough, surrounded by a large gathering of family, breathed his last earthly breath. While the deep chasm of loss remains, we are wholly filled with an amazing peace and serenity. A comfort of the Holy Spirit we could never have imagined.”
Larry, age 81, was a longtime resident of Mentor, born Sept. 23, 1937, in Kirtland Twp., to Joseph and Frances (neé Martin) Chesbrough. He spent a portion of his early school years at the Toccoa Falls Institute in Toccoa Falls, Georgia, returning to Ohio to graduate from Mentor High School and enlist in the United States Marines Corps, where he served honorably.
Larry began a career in insurance sales as a general agent with Manhattan Life, settling in as a lifelong career agent with Northwestern Mutual Life in 1967, where he earned “Agent of the Year” honors. Insurance was his passion, serving as President of the Lake-Geauga Life Underwriters, President of the Ohio Association of Life Underwriters (NAIFA Ohio) in 1986, and many years thereafter as Ohio’s National Committeeman for the National Association of Life Underwriters (NAIFA), retiring after 40 years to continue in independent sales. Larry and his family owned and operated businesses including Mentor Mini Storage, Hopkins Road Mini Storage, Tyler Storage and Offsite data storage.
Larry’s personal life was even more rewarding. He was a staunch supporter of the Mentor High School wrestling and football programs and served a term as President of the Mentor Booster Club. He was an avid golfer and spent many summers with his Uncle John Goodrich golfing their way down to Florida and back. His sincerity and thoughtfulness were always on display whenever family or friends were in need, and he actually saved two lives. Larry loved children as evidenced by the many pictures of him sporting a beaming smile while holding a laughing child. Even after 50 years, the memories of Larry playing Santa Claus for the kids at Deepwood still bring tears to his family’s eyes.
Larry is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Carol (nee Kushen); daughters, Laurie (Mark) Van Meter and Cheryl (Hicham) Derai; son, Larry E. K. Chesbrough; grandchildren, Francesca Lunardi (fiancée, Gina Roth), Katherine Chesbrough (fiancé Staton Tatterson), Emily Chesbrough, Sara (Spencer) Grenier, twins Scarlet and Jade Chesbrough, and Miriam Derai; great-grandson, Asher Chesbrough Grenier; sister-in-law, Virginia Kushen; brothers, Terry (Lynn), Joseph B III (Terri), and Mickey (Donna) Chesbrough; stepsister, Susan Sears; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James, sister, Deborah, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Martha (nee Kushen) Gibson. After his 80th birthday, Larry wrote “I have a deep-seated belief that there is tightly woven in the fabric that makes me “me,” those brightly colored threads of memory shared with loved ones and dear friends along the way. Thanks to each of you for being numbered among those threads of joyful memories.”
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at McMahon-Coyne Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow at Erieside Church, 221 E. 320th St., Willowick, OH, where his grandfather Joseph Chesbrough was a founding member.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cleveland Sight Center (https://www.clevelandsightcenter.org/content/donate-now) in loving memory of Lawrence B. Chesbrough.
Thanks for the extraordinary, life-changing, character-building, adventurous, “all-in,” kaleidoscope-colored threads of memories of you that have made us. We will miss your laughter, sage wisdom, and wit. We will cherish our faith journey with you. The blanket of memories will warm our heart and comfort our souls until we meet again in Heaven.
To leave condolences for the family or participate in the Memorial Tree Program, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.