Larry George Kish

Born in Welland, Ontario, Canada on December 11, 1941, Larry is predeceased by his mother, Edith, and father, George. It was his mother who was a driving force to the trajectory of his life. From humble beginnings on a farm, he learned to “Keep the Faith.” Growing up, besides his love for good food, his mom was an amazing cook, and fresh vegetables, he learned the importance of rising early, hard work, determination, and integrity.

His mom, who would always remain his absolute number one fan, scrimped and saved to purchase his first pair of skates. Those skates would shape his destiny.

Rising early in the morning and walking great distances in the cold to get to the ice, the mantra, “Attitude gives Altitude,” fully integrated within him. This mantra would become the core belief that would carry him through every aspect of his life.

By the age of sixteen, he took his “Attitude” and started the journey of “Altitude” beginning in Peterborough by playing with the Peterborough TPT Petes of the Ontario Hockey Association with Scotty Bowman, legendary NHL Coach.

Larry believed in the qualities of being part of a team. His sportsmanship and talent were not only found on the ice, but they were also found on the field as he played Fastball with Local 5077.

By 1960, Larry entered Providence College where he made his greatest impact on the hockey team. He would play three varsity seasons and became one of the top defensemen in the program’s history. Although he enjoyed sharing many memories with his teammates, it was the 1963-1964 ECAC championship that would be the most memorable not only for Larry but for the history of the college and the future of their hockey team.

The team managed this achievement with the most humbling circumstances. Larry was quoted as saying, “We didn’t have a dressing room or home ice. We practiced outside and scrounged for equipment. The bottom line is that what we accomplished was pretty special for our team.” The PC Friar team for which he was a captain became ECAC champions and NCAA Frozen Four participants. It was the Friars’ first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Larry, who proudly wore his Friars’ number “5”, became the first Friar hockey player to earn the title of All-American. He was inducted into the Providence College Hall of Fame in 1974.

Upon college graduation, Larry went on to teach at Cumberland High School in Rhode Island. It would formally commence his role as a teacher and mentor. In addition, he coached at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. His contributions to the school are best described in A History of Mount Saint Charles Hockey by Bryan Ethier, Part II “The Resurrection of Mount Pride: The Larry Kish Era.”

It was also in Rhode Island where he began the path of his second love, golf. He would often say if you truly want to understand the character of the person, you will learn the most about the person by playing a game of golf.

He would also say with a smile on his face that the only day he would be on the golf course is on the day of the week that ends in “y”. It would be this sentiment along with the warmth of the sun that would eventually land him permanently in Florida.

From Mount Saint Charles, Larry would embody the name that was given to him, “Coach.” This title would carry with him to many teams including Lowell Chiefs, Rhode Island Eagles, Cape Codders, Broome Dusters, Binghamton Broome Dusters, Springfield Indians, Binghamton Whalers, Wheeling Thunderbirds, New Orleans Brass, Raleigh IceCaps, and Tallahassee Tiger Sharks.

Larry was honored to be part of the NHL. He coached the Hartford Whalers from 1982-1983. He then returned to Canada to coach the AHL Nova Scotia Oilers affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers in their Stanley Cup winning seasons in 1984 and 1985.

In addition to the above, Larry earned many prestigious awards over the years including being a two-time All-ECAC selection, Walter Brown Award winner (Most Valuable Player in New England), Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award (AHL Coach of the Year), The Hockey News Minor League Coach of the Year in 1982, and Binghamton Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee.

As time passed, Larry would say that in college if anyone had told him that he had a contract to live to be 80, he never would have believed it. Yet, he believed in living life to its fullest and not living to exist. He was convinced that it was the Florida sunshine and being on the golf course and with friends that kept him savoring life. Of course, an ice cream cone here and there was also a welcomed pleasure and joy.

Rising before the sun continued from his childhood as he worked beyond his retirement age at the Bellasera Hotel and The Club at TwinEagles, both of Naples. There, meeting people and his job on the golf course, is where you could find his heart.

Towards the end of his life, he reflected on what he considered was a really good life! He was proud of his roots, family, and especially proud to be a “Kish.” He stood in awe and deep appreciation for his life's experiences and friends.

In the words of a beloved friend, “Larry uplifted entire communities, built character in young men, and taught many how to become a better people.”

With his memory, may you “Keep the Faith” and always may your “Attitude give Altitude.”

Larry is survived by his daughters, Kathleen and Stephani; his grandchildren, Zachariah (Nathan) and Elsa; his siblings, Rick (Mary) and Nancy (Pete); his nephew Rod, and his nieces, Erica, Darlene, and Kristen.

A memorial service will be held in Fenwick, Ontario at a later date.

A memorial donation in Larry’s honor may be made to the Providence College Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Kindly send donations to:

PC Men’s Ice Team (in memory of Larry Kish on the memo line)

Mail to:

Providence College

Harkins Hall OIA

Attn: Joe Hulbig

1 Cunningham Square

Providence, RI

02918