Obituary of Lawrence John Washburn

August 23, 1942 – Fernie, British Columbia

April 2, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Lawrence John Washburn (Larry) passed away on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the age of 80 years, with his beloved wife, Norma Washburn (nee Bittle), at his side.  Palm Sunday was a special day for Larry because of precious family memories, so it was a comfort that he should go to be with the Lord on that day.  Larry spent the last weeks of his life in hospice, in Calgary, surrounded by his loved ones, after a 10-month illness with cancer. 

Larry was born in Fernie, BC on August 23, 1942.  After his birth, his parents brought him home to the town of Michel by train, which is the same train that is now at Heritage Park in Calgary.  Larry spent much of his early childhood in BC, where his lifelong love of the ocean and the Okanagan began.  Sadly, Larry experienced some deep heartbreak during his life, including the loss of his father when he was a very small boy.  

Larry moved to Carseland, Alberta as a preteen, and lived and worked on the Bergquist family farm until his late twenties.  The old family farmhouse, where he spent much of his childhood, and early years of fatherhood, was later purchased and moved to Aspen Crossing, where it is now a restaurant.  Larry was so pleased that from the upper windows at the house’s new location, you can see the Washburn family farm in the distance, where his paternal grandparents settled in 1906 and where his father was raised. Larry loved Alberta - he loved the prairies, the big skies and rolling foothills.  He was an incredibly gifted artist and painted these beloved prairie landscapes for his whole life.

As a young man, Larry spent a few years in the Navy where he travelled much of the world and served on the HMCS MacKenzie, near Cuba during the Bay of Pigs.  His time in the Navy rekindled his love for the ocean, and painting by the water.  He painted by the water until age and illness prevented it.  Most of Larry’s paintings of water were done by Glenmore Lake in Calgary, and during extended stays in Portugal and Newfoundland.  Larry loved to be on the water and was passionate about sailing, he owned both large and small sailboats over the years.

Larry moved with his family to south Calgary in his late twenties and lived there for the next 50 years.  He graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design and made his career as a professional painter.  Larry was exceptionally gifted with colour and design.  Anywhere you went with Larry, he was thinking about how he might paint what he saw.  To supplement his painting and support his family, Larry also owned and operated a vinyl graphics business called Graphic Xpress for two decades.   He had a lifelong passion for learning about art and technology.  When illness prevented him from going far to paint, he would spend hours sitting in the local coffee shop sketching people, using his iPad and digital pen.

The happiest years of Larry’s life were in retirement, after he’d raised his family, closed his business, and married his dear Norma.  In retirement, he loved to paint and draw, take long walks around Glenmore Lake, and long drives in the country in his truck or vintage Mustang. Larry loved old cars and trucks and included them often in his art.  He spent hours working in his beautiful garden, as well as carpentry and mechanical projects.  Larry had so much talent.  He was a man of deep faith, he loved to help friends and neighbours.  Larry and Norma loved to sing hymns together, with her playing on her beautiful piano.  They enjoyed extended stays in Vernon, BC where he would paint, and they both soaked in the beautiful Okanagan landscape.  Larry and Norma’s greatest joy together was time spent with their treasured grandchildren.  Larry enjoyed simple times with his grandchildren the best - visits to Heritage Park, going for a drive, lunch at Saskatoon Farm, planting in the garden and listening to them share. 

Larry is survived by his wife Norma (nee Bittle) of Carstairs; four children Calvin Washburn (Gloria) of Surrey, BC, Scott Washburn of Calgary, Sara Washburn (Michel Pichette) of Ottawa, and Lisa Kornelson (Mike) of Airdrie; two stepdaughters Heidi Poorman (Tony) of Courtney, BC and Sara Barker (Jeff Maas) of Squamish, BC, his daughter-in-law Marian Washburn of Calgary; and his grandchildren Jon, Daylen, Brandon, Elisheva, Stephanie, William, Carter, Eva, Lucas, Sophia, Alex, Jade, Alexi, Aneice, Erik, Zoey and Jesse.  Larry is also survived by his mother Ruth Shewchuk (nee Mitchell) of Burnaby, his brother and dear friend Barry Washburn (Betty Lou) of Vancouver, many nieces and nephews; and the mothers of his four children Beverley Dubber (Shaun Rafferty) of Belleville, Ontario, and Jennie Washburn of Calgary.  Larry is predeceased by his father John Neal Washburn, his brother Neal Washburn; sisters, Grace Bisson, and Marilyn Ruscitti; and his dearest Aunt and Uncle, Phoebe and Earl Bergquist, who raised him for many years and loved him as a son. 

Larry will be deeply missed by those who loved him, but we take comfort in our belief that we will be reunited in Heaven one day.     

At Larry’s wishes, there will be no funeral and only a private family gathering.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to your local food bank or charity of your choice.

I heard your voice in the wind today and I turned to see your face. The warmth of the wind caressed me as I silently stood in place. I felt your touch in the sun today as its warmth filled the sky. I closed my eyes for your embrace and my spirit soared high. I saw your eyes in the windowpane as I watched the falling rain. It seemed that, as each raindrop fell, it quietly said your name. I held you close in my heart today. It made me feel complete. Yes, you have died, but you are not gone. You’re always a part of me. As long as the sun keeps shining, the rains fall, the winds blow, you will live in me forever. This is what my heart knows.

In living memory of Lawrence Washburn, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.