It is with a heavy heart and sadness we come together to Celebrate the Life and passing of my dearest friend Lawrence Raphael Francis Joseph Fernandes, better known to us all here today as Larry.
A sincere warm welcome to Brenda and Larry’s family, friends, and colleagues, some who have travelled long distances to be with us here today.
A loving husband to Brenda, an inspiring and proud father to Carolyn, Clare, and Richard, a doting Grando to Ernie, Issy, Carlos, Archie, and Sam, Also, a respected gentleman within the Saint Bedes Parish Community.
The numbers here today speak enormously of Larry, he was well respected and enriched our lives with his Charm, Charisma and Wit. He was indeed an inspiring person who always gave up his time for you, he left you smiling what more could you ask of a friend.
It was 40 years ago when I first met Larry when we moved to Chadwell Heath we were neighbours.
The introduction across the fence his warm smile and personality had an immediate effect on me which I am sure we have all felt at times when in his company….... as we raised our families literally side by side.
They were indeed, always amazing times. We would put the world to right….be it Football, Cricket, Politics and of course his beloved Spurs were all in depth discussions, of course mainly when Spurs were winning.
To experience the warmth of “Brenda and Larry’s” family was to enrich my family for years to come with fond memories. Their parents Jerry, Helen, Benjamin and Bertha equally loving and warm and cherished by us all
There was no need for a garden fence as the children made our gardens open plan, weekdays and weekends filled with games, challenges, and wonderful curries which Brenda cooked…they were just amazing, memorable, and so very delicious. The words come on Robert time for a drink was a sign the day was coming to a close or was it just the beginning, ok Larry just one, then Larry would later retire to the sofa exhausted with a large Scotch of course smugly satisfied and in complete peace with himself and everybody. Eventually, falling fast asleep.
Beautiful memories with beautiful people we pass along the way forever and always cherished dearly in our hearts.
Larry was born on the 30th July 1948 in Ngara Hospital, Nairobi, the Capital City of Kenya.
At the time Kenya was still a British Colony, and Nairobi was rapidly changing into a cosmopolitan City. Larry’s parents, Jerry and Helen, lived together with Helens parents. Larry’s earliest memories as a three year old, was sharing 3 rooms in a house shared by other families in Pangani. Life was humble, and sufficient. No gas cookers, no fridges. Food was always prepared over charcoal which is probably where he got his love of barbeque cooking later in life.
It was evident that Larry in his early years recognised the essential need of an Education. He learnt that in order to succeed and eventually improve his quality of life he needed the tools and examinations to get there.
His journey began from his primary education at the Catholic Parochial School, and continued to St Teresa’s School, where Larry excelled academically and was appointed Head Boy.
In 1966 Larry entered Strathmore College of Arts and Sciences to study Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It was during this period Larry developed a great interest in Bio Chemistry which eventually was to be his specialised field.
There was another life changing moment while attending a dance at Strathmore college it was where he met his beautiful and future wife to be our Brenda.
Sure enough, Larry’s luck was in he was in the right place at the right time and the rest is history, as they say he had the confidence, he had the charm, he had the charisma, can you imagine the pressure what girl could resist and thankfully she didn’t but his life was soon about to change.
With 3 A levels and working locally to help support the family, Larry and Brenda were courting, enjoying their life as best they could together at every opportunity.
However, by August 1968 Larry new he was leaving Kenya for the UK and accepted a placement in Liverpool to read Bio Chemistry. It was a great achievement and a personal milestone in his life.
In September 1968 Jerry and Helen with their children relocated to London where life for Larry would take on a completely different of course.
Larry unfortunately turned down his placement at Liverpool, committing himself to supporting his parents and siblings. He returned to his studies later in life achieving three degrees part time, whilst working, and whilst raising and supporting his own family.
During this very emotional period Larry parted from Brenda. Not knowing when his loving relationship with Brenda would continue was as he describes the worst moment of his life totally unaware that Brenda and her family would emigrate to the UK, 3 months after Larry’s arrival, which thankfully allowed them to continue and plan their future lives together.
In London, Larry had new responsibilities, and throughout his life no matter how tough the challenge or the responsibility he would own it and complete it to the end. A rich quality nowadays only possessed by the few.
So, within 4 weeks of arriving to the UK at the age of 20 Larry settled in Forest Gate and began searching for work.
The opportunities for work with Larry’s qualifications, especially with Chemistry was positive, and at the time an advantage over others, and a turning point in his future ambitions….. The job offer from Sherwood Parsons Paint Company as an Analytical Chemist in October 1968 was the first step in rebuilding his career, at last his life was changing it was moving forward.
His personal ambitions and hunger to complete his academic studies saw him enrol at East Ham Tech in 1968 to complete his HNC in Chemistry and later in 1974 his B.Sc, and lastly his M.Sc in 1978.
Throughout this long dedicated road of continuous education to the top Larry had studied evenings, during work time, and every opportunity of his spare time to complete his Education and hence to furthering his career, his path and his personal goal was always to be respected in his chosen professional field.
It was his determination his tenacity his ability to overcome previous worries and concerns of the past that made us recognise, respect and appreciate the special talented individual that he was.
By the time Larry retired in 2006 his contribution to his Industry was recognised by two of the main professional bodies in his field.
He was awarded a Fellowship in Technology of Surface Coatings, and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry & Chartered Chemist.
A well deserved recognition of the hours and hours of work he had committed to his career and yes no matter the problem’s or issues he loved the industry and he loved his Profession. His ownership of responsibility was reflected in the respect he gained from his colleagues family and friends
The many hours away from his family and home the thousands of miles driving around the UK. Travelling to Europe. Was it worth it ? Yes, of course he would say I did it to secure our families lives and their future lives ahead. How true that was and is today on reflection looking back.
Seeing, Carolyn, Clare and Richard and my girls succeed academically made us very proud Fathers of course and as children grow, so do their arguments and opinions.
Larry would say to me did we speak so openly to our parents Robert ? With such conviction ? I would say no Larry never, we only thought it for fear of a slap, but they still have time to learn don’t they ? well lets hope its soon he would say because I am having trouble keeping up with them wonderful, wonderful memories.
We were still repeating those words even now as two of our children are approaching forty and four already there. Larry had several ideologies which he adhered to in life and referred to them in times of need…….especially to his children
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Live well if you can afford it but don’t be wasteful.
Time is your most precious resource so don’t waste it.
Wise words from a wise probably old fool Larry would say
But on the contrary Larry was no fool.
Larry planned his life meticulously from beginning to end. He knew what would be required to build his life, build a home, and with Brenda by his side his beautiful family and he did it, Respectfully, Honestly, always with Love, and always with a smile he did it as he would say I did it….. My Way.
Friends, they say are like leaves found everywhere but
True friends are like Diamonds precious and rare.
What truer words can describe Larry the Loving Husband, the Proud Father, and the True friend we sadly say Goodbye-to, today, is that he is that unique diamond so precious and so very rare.
God Bless you Larry
and Rest in Peace
Amen