Lawrence Anthony Flori
June 7, 1936 ~ August 23, 2015
Resided in:
Pueblo West, CO
Lawrence Anthony Flori passed away August 23, 2015, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Larry was born in Pueblo June 7, 1936, to Rose and Caesar Flori. He is a graduate of Central High School and Pueblo Junior College. His first passion found him majoring in music but later found his true calling when he started working for Curtis Circulation Company. He remained active in the periodical distribution and publishing business until shortly before his death.
His zest for life was a joy to his many friends and family. Everyone he touched was made to feel loved and special. He and Rose Marie hosted many holidays and birthdays at their home. The grandkids would never miss a chance to go to Grandpa's.
Larry is survived by his wife, Rose Marie (married 60 years); sons, Michael (Robyn), Steven (Becky), Gary (Rene); sisters, Rose Ann Nichols and Janet Van Dam; grandchildren, Erin Flori, Angela (Nick) Herrera, Alexandra (Sean) Flori, Justin Flori, Antonio Flori, Sierra Flori; and great-granddaughter, Elaina Herrera; sisters-in-law, Arlene (Louis), Carol Blatnik, Jeri McGinnis (Billy), and Mary Ann (Harold) Davis; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by parents, Caesar Flori, Rose Flori Cekursky; mother- and father-in-law, Helen and John Zupancic; and sister, Irene Gibbons.
We Love You, will miss you, and Love you always.
Memorial Mass will be held at 10AM on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at St Mary's Catholic Church, 307 E. Mesa Ave., Pueblo, CO 81006. In lieu of food or flowers, please consider a kind donation to Joni Fair Hospice House, 1107 Pueblo Blvd. Way, Pueblo, CO 81005. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
I met Larry back in 1980 through work at Mountain States News. I have always admired him and still remember the knowledge he shared. I was lucky to have known him and treasure the memories. The world lost a great man. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. Here’s to you Larry!
Lawrence
Anthony Flori. Husband, Father, Brother, Mentor, Friend.
Lawrence was
the son of Rose and Ceasar Flori. At a young age he learned how to make a difference for those around him. His Father left the Family when he was only 14 years old. Despite the absence of a strong male role model, Larry still managed to develop an enduring sense of Family; A sense of family that he carried with him for his entire life. My Father became a Father to his younger sisters. He gave unending support to his sisters Rose Ann, Irene and Janet. He was the son who also became the patriarch for his
mother.
As a young man of 18 he met the love of his life. Their courtship was fiery and hot as the fuse of their burning love. Rose Marie had captured his heart. Larry and Rosie stole away to New Mexico with the seeds of romance and the passion of forever. They eloped and wed in Raton. This was the beginning of his new young family. Their love was young and strong, strong enough to last through the ages. They were two morning doves mating for life. Their 60th anniversary was coming up this October. Rose Marie and Larry would create a life and love whose example would inspire each of us as we explored our own sense of family.
From the moment he met the mother of his future bride he became destined to fill the role of patriarch again. Larry bonded with Helen, Zev and all of their beautiful daughters. Rose Marie was his sweetheart but he in turn offered his love to Arlene, Carol, Jeri and Mary Ann. He had a special bond with Helen- always making sure her wants and needs were taken care. Through good times and bad he became the corner stone and the glue for the Flori, Padula, Zupancic, and Porfilio Families. His passion and sense of family drove him to care for the ones he loved.
Larry and Rose Marie bore three young sons who basked in there nurturing sense of family as they grew up. I remember each weekend as young children we would travel to visit my grandma Rose, have Sunday dinner, watch Ed Sullivan, play dominos and listen to Bill (Grandma’s second husband) tell us stories of how he was taken by the tornado and was returned alive. As a family my Father led us around to visit and share with all of his friends and family on a continual basis. His sense of family reached to all those that he touched and his touch reached to all of his family and friends.
He loved music and studied his passion for music as a young man out of high school. He earned money teaching music lessons. My Dad would do anything he needed to keep supporting those around him. With a
young family in tow he traded his music skills for a job in the Periodical
business. He worked at Pikes Peak News Agency, then to Curtis Circulation
Company where he flourished for many years. Larry’s skill set and people skills made him a natural salesman. His passion and creative spirit followed him as he helped those around him succeed. He was a participant in a Curtis ‘Motor Trend’� sales contest, first prize win a car’�he and Doug Kent won the national prize!
Doug got the car.
He landed in Colorado and continued to build a reputation of compassion and wisdom. John and Mary Ann Duffey intersected with Larry and collaborated on the growth of Mountain States News, Alpine News, Northern Arizona News, and the Magwest Newsstand Group. More sharing, growing and an even greater Larry family came to be. Family was always the theme as he wound his way into the lives of the people he worked with. Larry’s drive and wisdom helped all those around him be the best that they could be. He had a saying that he would continually preach as he mentored his flock. ‘Always take The High Road’�. That was his signature phrase. He added more rock and glue.
I lost my best friend. Not only was my father my best friend and mentor but he was my rock and glue. His undying empathy for the big picture always kept me centered. Good or bad, win or fail, his love, wisdom and inspiration would keep me going in the right direction. As a Father he would dispense his wisdom not as a cold dictate, but with choices that we had the power to make. His sales job always had us choosing the correct path .The last eighteen years my Dad help Doug and I rebuild Kent News during a time when our industry was collapsing. His hard work and direction ensured the success for all who worked at Kent News Company.
His passion was relentless as he passed his wisdom and kindness to those around him. Larry would treat everyone around him with great respect-even complete strangers. He always had time to listen to your story and weigh in when you needed him. My Dad had the ability to look at and size up the situation and make a plan. He would make his list then motivate the troops to complete the task at hand. His love of Family and friends was manifested in his plan to get it done-just adding more rock and glue.
He touched many with his love and made a difference. He will be sorely missed but remain an inspiration to all of those who knew him.
I only hope I can sustain his love of life and love of those around him,
as well as his belief in the good in all of us.
Mike and Robyn Flori
God speed Larry. You truly left a legacy – a family anyone would be proud to call his own. Rose Mary and family please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We have so many wonderful memories of Larry and all the Flori family. Larry’s optimistic philosophy of never “a problem” but “an opportunity” made him wonderful person to be around whether for fun or for work. Much love to Rose Marie and his fine family.
To Rosemary and all of Larry’s family we send our deepest sympathy. Larry was such a wonderful person his smile lite any room he walked into. His heart was full of love for his family and friends and he never said no to anyone who need his help. There is more music in heaven now that Larry is there. He is missed by everyone who’s life he touched.
When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May we take comfort in knowing that we have an angel to watch over us now. A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember Larry. May the love of family and friends comfort us.
A Warm Hug to you RoseMarie and the wonderful family you and Larry’s Love started I guess about 60 years ago and it keeps bringing life.Your wonderful Memories will also live on in each of you. Larry gave everyone he met Value, as he acknowledged them and he Never left anyone out. His gift was who he was and he was very generous. When I think of Larry I see his Smile and Laughter,it was always with him. May you find peace in knowing his love for you all still lives on, and he still likes a good laugh (so keep on laughing) .
My heart just sank when Hedi told me Larry has passed away. He will always have a special place in my heart. He was a joy to work with, and the type of friend everyone should have in their life. We will miss you Larry. My prayers go out to the family.
We have wonderful memories of Larry and were proud to call him a friend. He was such a warm, loving human being and so fun to be around. We will miss him. Our prayers are with you and your family Rosemary.
Gonna miss your calls larry, it was nice to have known you and i will always cherish the memories of the days we worked together through the years. God speed.
I was thrown back when I saw Larry s name in the paper this morning. We at Frank s Meat Market just loved Larry, he was an outstanding man who made our day every time he walked through the door. Loved his stories about The Queen, about his beautiful wife Rose Marie and the wonderful fishing/hunting trips he took with his boys to Gunnison and how he looked so forward to it. Ans how he planned the meal he needed fo prepare dor the trip as you all had a day you had fo be responsible for. And how he had to have the BEST prime rib for his family for Christmas dinner . We laughed and teased as he would stay in the store and visit with all of us. He was always so positive and although he was ill he never told me nor complained, he did tell one of the boys. I saw him not long ago and asked him if he was ok as he looked in a weakened state , and that beautiful smile grazed across his face and he said of coarse I am fine I m just getting older. I wish I would of known so I could of encouraged you along this journey. I feel like I know each of you but never met you as he spoke with love and joy of each of you. He was so proud of his family. I encourage you to carry on the legacy he has built in each one of you, he was a Good man with a strong, honest and loyal character. Ross Marie he cherished you and all your sons. May God wrap you in His arms and bless you with peace and comfort during this hard time. He enriched our lives and we are thankful we got to know him. Our Love thoughts and prayers are with you all!
I’m sorry my first cousin is gone from my sight for a while. I send my love to his family and let them know they are not alone at this time.