Lawrence Tourangeau

Tourangeau, Lawrence Albert 9/5/1934 - 6/1/2021 Kalamazoo Lawrence Albert Tourangeau, 86, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. During the Great Depression on September 5th, 1934, Larry was born in Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan, the son of Laurence William and Mary Leola (Ingoldsby) Tourangeau. His father died at an early age, and Larry and his brother, Ken, were placed at St. Francis Home for Boys. The loss of his father at such a young age haunted Larry. He later shared with his family that he thought of his Dad every day of his life. After several years at St. Francis, their extended family was able to bring the two boys home, and the entire family helped raise them during those difficult years of the Depression and World War II. He had many fond memories of summers spent with the Canadian Tourangeau's. He was incredibly thankful for the guidance of his Uncle Ray and his Uncle--Father John while growing up. Larry attended St. Ambrose Catholic High School, and then after talking his Mom into granting legal permission, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen. He honorably served his country during the Korean War while stationed in Germany. Larry received his honorable discharge and began his long career with AAA Insurance Company. He worked at AAA in Detroit and Battle Creek and was promoted to assistant branch manager in Muskegon shortly after to Kalamazoo. Larry retired as the Kalamazoo Claims Manager in 1995, after 35 years of dedicated service. Lawrence Tourangeau was united in marriage to Carolyn Case, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall on October 24th, 1964. Their love and dedication for each other continue to inspire the entire family. Surviving is Carolyn, his wife of 56+ years; children, Marc (Jenn) Tourangeau of Kalamazoo, Michael (Melia) Tourangeau of Pittsburg, PA, Laura (Matthew) Januszewski of Howell, Jeffrey Tourangeau of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren, Cameron Berry, Olivia and Zacharie Tourangeau, and Morgan, Claudia, Owen, and Ella Januszewski and; sister-in-law, Mary Tourangeau of Seattle WA.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and a nephew, Tom Tourangeau. Lawrence was a St. Ambrose Catholic Church member in Parchment and a former member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Augusta. Larry proudly served on the Fort Custer National Cemetery Honor Guard Squad. He was one of the more popular Catechism teachers at St. Ann Parish, as he was known for supplying donuts to his students. When his children were in school, Larry was a Cub Scout Pack Master in Richland and served as President of Gull Lake Sports Boosters. He volunteered for the St. Ambrose Food Lift and in Kalamazoo at Lending Hands of Michigan. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing all sports, especially basketball and baseball. Most important to Larry was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved them dearly, and that love was, and is, returned. He valued the decades-long relationship with their Marriage Encounter group, which became an extended family. In his retirement years, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, carving duck decoys, hunting, and fishing. Larry participated in those hobbies almost exclusively with or for his children and grandchildren. They were a reason to spend time with the family. Larry and Carolyn spent many years traveling before Alzheimer's robbed him of his last years. He took pride in building a cottage up north where the family continues to spend time together. His family is comforted knowing Larry is enjoying a reunion in Heaven with his dad, brother, beloved extended family, and dear friends. We believe Larry's dad is proud of the life and family he created from such a challenging start. Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. June 14th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Mike Hazard at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 15th, 2021, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta, MI 49012. The service will be livestreamed / Go to YouTube and type in St. Ann Catholic Church, Augusta, MI. Military Honors, committal and inurnment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Tuesday June 15th at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon the day of the funeral is being planned and details will be announced at the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 620 Sea Island Road, Suite 288, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959; Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 7100 Stadium, Kalamazoo MI 49009, or a charity of one's choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.