This is tough. On Thursday, I will attend a Mass of Christian Burial for my friend and teacher, Larry O’Donnell — “Mr. O”
I telephoned Larry last Thursday, January 7, and when I received no answer, I telephoned him several times more. We were to have breakfast together, where we always met, at George’s Restaurant in Northridge on Friday.
I was shocked to eventually learn that Larry had suffered a massive stroke on Thursday and that he had passed away Saturday.
Larry, as a young man, was my sophomore high school English teacher in 1963 at Northridge High School. He stayed at Northridge his entire career, a proud Polar Bear, and retired with 39 years of service.
Larry -- with two hats -- and me at a Dragon's game last summer. Larry's Northridge Kiwanis had organized a group outing. Larry gave me the ticket.
Only in the last seven years, or so, did I reconnect with Larry, and with my other Northridge teachers — David Griesmeyer and Bill Howell — as well. Now, shockingly, all three are gone and all at early ages.
I enjoyed having breakfast with Larry and did so two or three times each month. He was a gracious, intelligent man with a keen sense of humor and we would stay at breakfast for several hours.
It is incredibly painful to me that he should leave so abruptly. I never told him so, in so many words, but I think he knew, that I deeply appreciated his friendship, his kindness, his spirit. We enjoyed each other’s company. I was looking forward to many more years of fellowship with Larry. I will miss him very much.
It hurts to say: Goodbye, my friend.
