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Signature Sponsor
February 26, 2017 - Joseph John Larry, 90, Fairmont, WV, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.
He was born on August 3, 1926, in McComas (Mercer County, WV), the son of the late Rocco and Mary Mancini Porcaro. At an early age, he was adopted and raised by his godparents, Isabella and Salvadore Loria.
He graduated from Northfork (McDowell County) High School. He played varsity football at West Virginia Tech in Montgomery and later graduated from West Virginia University School of Mines with a BSEM degree in mining engineering in March 1952.
After graduation, he joined Jeffrey Mining Machinery Co. in Columbus, Ohio, as a one- year administration trainee; then becoming a sales representative in Beckley, West Virginia. While in Columbus, Mr. Larry met and then married Louise Ridgely on June 13, 1953.
In April, 1962, he joined the Lee-Norse Company as Southern Appalachian regional manager, and later, new product manager in Upper St. Clair, PA. He attained his mining engineering license in 1963.
In 1972, he joined FMC Mining Machinery in Fairmont as chief sales officer. He traveled extensively in Poland, Russia, India and Germany to evaluate longwall mining equipment and techniques. EIMCO Mining bought the Division in 1986, and Mr. Larry retired from EIMCO in 1982.
For many years Joe was a member of Careers in Coal (CI-Coal) and was chairman 1981-82.
He authored a pamphlet, “How To Market Mining Equipment” and after his retirement, he published the book, “Roof Bolting Without Injury.”
He was past chairman of the WVU School of Mines Alumni, past chairman of Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE), and past treasurer of the Fairmont Field Club.
He was followed in death by his loving wife, Louise Ridgely Larry, on January 24, 2017.
He is survived by his two sons, Joseph Arthur Ridgely “Jay” Larry and his wife Joy Kaye Lang of Bridgeport and Christopher “Chris” Larry and his wife Melissa Ann Larry of Richmond, Virginia. He is also survived by his grandchildren Emily Susan Larry and Matthew Ridgely Larry, Stephanie Elizabeth Larry Smetanick and her husband Jonathan Andrew Smetanick, Trevor Christian Larry; and one great-granddaughter, Lyla Grace Smetanick.
In keeping with the wishes of the deceased, there will be no viewing, and his body was cremated.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 407 Jackson St., Fairmont, with Fr. Robert A. Perriello as Celebrant. Inurnment, along with his wife, will be at the Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 407 Jackson Street, Fairmont, WV 26554, or the Department of Mining Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
Arrangements are under the care of the Ross Funeral Home, 801 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont. Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com.
Joseph John Larry |
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