Larry L. Lamere

Larry L. LaMere, 67, of Schenectady, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4th, 2020 at Troy Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing after courageously battling an illness for many months prior. Larry, who went by many nicknames – most notably "Moncey", "Lala", "Unc", "Lar", and "Bear" – was born in Elizabethtown, NY on May 2nd, 1953 to the late Joseph and Clarissa (Gumlaw) LaMere.

Larry had a passion for life; he lived wholly and fully, and put his heart and soul in everything he did. He lived for, and deeply loved, his large family and many friends, and was most devoted to his beloved "Bubby" (niece and God daughter), Alyssa, and his "Boo", Carol. Larry was a social butterfly with countless hobbies & interests. He was well known in the Schenectady area through his many years of volunteer work at the Schenectady Green Market, Schenectady ARC Self-Advocacy Program, Maple Ridge Horticulture Center, St. John the Evangelist School and Parish, and Moose Club. When not living with his biological family, Larry lived with his chosen family at both Schenectady ARC and Lexington Center. It has been frequently said by staff and individuals within these two remarkable agencies that he has left a lifelong imprint on the hearts of all those he has encountered.

Those who knew Larry would say that his laugh was contagious; he would spend hours laughing and joking with loved ones. Larry loved to learn new things, as well as share the things he learned with others. This led him to have an abundance of interests, including hunting, fishing, wood crafting, coloring and painting, gardening and creating floral arrangements, watching Green Bay Packers football and Yankees baseball games, puzzles, cooking and baking, collecting knives and canes, darts, archery and skeet shooting, embracing the Mohawk Native American tradition, volunteering, collecting baseball caps, driving with his late wife, Elaine F. (Colombe) LaMere, of 14 years, listening to country music, bowling, watching educational television programs, collecting anything Harley Davidson, exploring the town and window shopping with his "Boo", attending classic car shows, drinking hazelnut coffee and Busch beer, and eating all types of wild game and jerky.

Larry enjoyed participating in self-help groups and loved being the President of the Self-Advocacy Program at Schenectady ARC for a number of years. He liked helping his nephew, Kelvin, complete side jobs in landscaping and cleaning, and was employed by Northeast Career Planning and Port of Albany before working at Pine Ridge Industries where he retired at age 63. More than anything, Larry loved to "build others up" and teach skills and lessons to others that he had learned along his life path. Larry was a natural-born leader and teacher who was naturally gifted with a "green thumb". He prided himself in teaching his gardening and floral arrangement skills to individuals at the Maple Ridge Horticulture Center and winning awards at the HVCC Flower Show.

Larry is survived by many relatives, including his "Bubby", niece, and first God daughter, Alysabeth "Alyssa" VanBramer, his closest nephew, Kelvin M. VanBramer, and sister-in-law, niece, and friend, Lisa M. (Colombe) VanBramer, of Schenectady, NY. He is survived by his sisters and best friends Sally Shell and Annie LaMere of Colonie, NY, and Violet Clark of Elizabethtown, NY, as well as long-time girlfriend of 12 years and "Boo", Carol Doremus. Larry had a special relationship with his surviving nephews, Chad Darwesh and Bill Shell of Colonie, NY and Arthur Coogan of Witherbee, NY, as well as his cousin, Tom French, of Colonie NY, and aunt, Grace French of Witherbee, NY. Larry was honored to have three additional God daughters, Adele (McGrath) Lovett of Altamont, NY, and Jordyn Albee & Hailee Albee-Tisdale of Rotterdam, NY. Larry is survived by many more cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and staff members in the 518 and Massachusetts areas.

In addition to his wife, Elaine, and parents, Larry is predeceased by his brothers, Frederick and Roger LaMere of Colonie, NY, as well as his sister, Florence VanBramer of Pittsfield, MA and brother-in-law, Butch Shell of Colonie, NY.

Friends are invited to join his family for a "Celebration of Life" memorial service at New Comer Cremations and Funerals located at 343 New Karner Rd in Colonie, NY on Friday, September 11th, 2020. Calling hours are from 6:00-8:00 PM, and will conclude with a "Sharing of Memories" at 8:00 PM to honor the special moments that Larry created in our lives. Please feel free to bring copies of any photos you may have of Larry to share with the family during this time. A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, September 12th at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady, NY. Those of all faiths are welcome to attend. Larry's remains will be taken home with the family; no burial will be celebrated at this time.

In lieu of flowers, Larry's family requests that donations be made to the two agencies that positively added to Larry's quality of life: Schenectady ARC and Fulton County ARC/Lexington Center. Please be sure to note that you are donating in memory of Larry LaMere on the checks or forms.
To donate to Schenectady ARC, please mail check or money order to Schenectady ARC, 214 State St, Schenectady NY 12305 or submit electronically through the following link: http://www.arcschenectady.org/donations.html. To donate to Fulton County ARC/Lexington Center, please mail check or money order to Fulton County ARC/Lexington Center, 465 N. Perry St, Johnstown NY 12095 or submit electronically through the following link: https://thearclexingtonfoundation.org/donate/