Obituary of Lawrence M. DeLorenzo

Lawrence M. DeLorenzo 85, died suddenly from a fall on March 19, 2007 in Seattle. Survived by his wife Mary Margaret; Sons, Michael (Linda); Richard (Barb); Terry; Patrick; Larry ( Jessica); Robert (Angelica); Daughters, Laura (Mike) Prato; Mary Ann (Mark) Colombo; Martha (Greg) McKenna; Kari (Tom) Curran; Christine (Milo); Angelique (Tom) Fuegmann; Sister, Theresa Hoppe; 40 Grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Vigil Services 7:00PM Thursday March 22, 2007 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 10240 12th Ave S, Seattle. Funeral Mass Friday 10:00 AM at St Theresa’s Catholic Church, 3939 SW 331st St. Federal Way. Reception to follow at the Twin Lakes Country Club, then Burial at Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Operation Nightwatch, P.O. Box 21181, Seattle 98111 or the St. Vincent’s de Paul Society. Dad was born in South Park, south Seattle on a produce farm with his two brothers Bob and Mickey and his sister Theresa. He loved to come home from school and play at his grandma’s house. He went to Concord and St. Joseph’s elementary, then O’Dea High School, and University of Washington. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy. One of the numerous stories he told was the day he showed up in Pearl Harbor was the day the Japanese surrendered. After the war he worked as an aeronautical engineer briefly and then spent the next 35 years working for American Laundry Machinery selling equipment throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He was married to my mom for 53 years and had twelve children and the number of grandchildren, well no one seems to know exactly but around 37-42 and two are on the way. Over 55 years ago my Dad and Mom said hello at Harbor View Hospital, this was also the place they said good bye. ---------- My Mom was looking for a strong committed Catholic who wanted ma children. One patient, Charlie Concannon.---------- Dad’s faith life began at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in South Park at his baptism, he was married there and will have his wake there. Actually Dad only moved about four blocks from where he grew up. Only later in his life he finally moved away from his roots to Federal Way, only to be closer to his children and grandchildren. So who was my Dad? He was a man of faith, a man centered on family and a man who loved his wife. Dad knew God, knew His presence and the Eucharist was the source and summit of Dad’s spirituality and strength. In the early hours he would rise and write letters. I can still remember that first letter. He posted it on the refrigerator. My sister said Dad wrote a letter. What did it say? Well you need to read it. After reading it I did not know what to think. Was this his last will and testimony? Were these words to live by? They were heart felt emotions, feelings and personal faith conviction expressed in a letter written by my Dad. I had never heard him say such things before. I just did not know what to think. Talking to my sisters and brothers and asking them if they had talked to Dad about his letter there response was, “are you crazy, no way.” As I tried to avoid Dad all day finally being corned he asked did you read my letter. Not knowing what to say - yes. Long silent and awkward pause. Well what did you think? It was really nice? That was the beginning of his letters which lasted about 5 years and then they came less and less frequently. Until the day before his fatal fall. His final letter was riveting, yet simple and reached into the heart and soul of our family. A letter that will never be forgotten, a letter that will make anyone with doubts about God think twice. A letter for each sibling to cherish especially when we need to be reminded why are we here? What is our purpose? Where are we going? I feel his letter sums up what was important to my Dad: Faith, family and his wife.The Letter A Drift by Lawrence De Lorenzo he wrote the letter from 1/25/07 – 3/15/07 Larry had his fatal fall on 3/16/07 To My Children: Adrift: An odd word with so many meanings. A ship without an engine, without rudder, without anchor or guidance or purpose. Many of us, in one way or another can be so characterized. Nothing to be proud of. God, never intended for us to be without purpose. This would make us fatal to eternity with Him. The most beautiful word ever said is Love. Without Love nothing would exist. Not you or I, the world, eternity: because there would be No God! The one thing God is, is Love. He made us to Love one another. When into self, Love cannot exist. We become adrift, without purpose. Why did God create us? Yes, to Love one another, but also to serve, to help those in need, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to give shelter. We are in this life for such a short time and still many of us spend much of our time to make more money, a larger home, a beautiful car, to retire in luxury. We simply must find time for God. He is our anchor, our rudder to guide us. He has to be the cornerstone of our lives. Our only purpose in life is to spend eternity with Him. Otherwise this life comes to nothing. The road to eternity is long and narrow with many exits. Be aware; all exits lead to dead ends. All exits are road blocks and weaknesses. We live in a world that is an illusion. Hidden from God’s eyes. Today parents have a most difficult time in raising their children. There are so many ways that they are led astray. The news media, radio, T.V., movies, the daily newspaper, internet – they are all slanted towards self-indulgence, worldly pleasures, to live the ‘American Dream’; an illusion. Our teens pick the worst as role models; girls dress, or undress, to seduce the opposite sex. Parents be aware, you will be held responsible. Unless God is the center of our life we become adrift and live in a world of illusion, a life without purpose gives Satan an opening. Daily, thank God for giving you a mother second to none. Your mom, as mine, had only a single purpose in life. To Love God, His Church & the Family. This was the center of their lives from which became God’s joy. I am proud of all of you. In you, I can see them, a true reflection – by their fruits you shall know them. Yes, I am truly blessed. To wake up each morning at the first glimpse of light, knowing that in a very short time the heavens will explode into a thousand shades of red and gold. God gives us a glimpse of what He has Prepared for those who Love Him. How often have we heard; ‘eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, or hasn’t even entered our minds’ – Eternity with Him. Nothing else, I repeat nothing else is important. True Love has no price it is given freely. What carries a price tag is only for this life. There is nothing wrong with making money, providing we give God His share freely. Make God our cornerstone, make Him our solid foundation from which to build according to His plan. Remember without God there is nothing worthwhile. The reason for this letter is, I’m trying to make amends for my life. I am a little wiser now. I have failed you many times as a father. I, too, was adrift living for worldly pleasures. I suppose it was when I had by-pass surgery that I realized that I was looking for worldly pleasures. I got off of the exit and found the long narrow road. The world has become a better place. I have written this with tears in my eyes, yes I have been truly blest. Love, Dad