Lawrence Gregory Szuhy

We are heartbroken to announce the death of our cherished husband, father and grandfather, Lawrence “Larry” Gregory Szuhy. Loving husband of 58 years to Judith Szuhy, and devoted father to Christopher (Melanie) Szuhy, Linda (Cameron) Ressetar, Diana (Michael) Clarke, Beth Hisey, and proud and loving grandfather to five grandchildren: Bella Gionta, Coleman Szuhy, Amelia Gionta, Jude Clarke and Reese Clarke. Larry passed away peacefully at his home on February 9, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s-related illnesses. He will be terribly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Larry was born on August 10, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio to Coleman Lawrence and Mary Margaret (neé Kemmeny) Szuhy. At a young age, Larry and his parents moved to Monroe, Michigan, and it was a good thing he did, because there he met Judy Blair, the love of his life, when they were just teenagers. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in Monroe, attending the University of Michigan, ultimately earning his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 1965 and 1969, respectively. Judy and Larry married on June 13, 1964 and went on to make a beautiful life for their family of six, primarily raising their children in South Carolina and Texas.

Larry was a respected leader in the automotive industry—which would relocate his family several times across the country—working in various manufacturing management and executive positions at Ford Motor Company, Arrow Automotive Industries Inc., Blue-Chip Products, AGR Performance MB Motorsports and Dynagear. He is listed as a noteworthy Automotive Company Executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Giving back to his community was important to Larry as he served on the Board of Directors for United Way, was Chairman of the Spartanburg Children's Shelter, and held various volunteer positions within his Catholic communities.

Known for his “toughness,” everyone knew Larry was just a softie, and showed his tender and kind heart to his family and friends. He loved to jog with his dogs, work outside as well as in the garage fixing pretty much anything that needed it—from a pesky Teddy Ruxpin to antique pocket watches. To Larry, nothing could replace a cold beer (or two) after a hot day of mowing the lawn, except maybe the satisfaction of leaving late yet still somehow arriving early, due to his "driving skills." Whether throwing the baseball in the backyard with his son or helping his kids with the annual season of science projects (which meant actually doing them all himself, so they’d be “done right”), Larry could be counted on no matter what. He never missed Sunday church service, no matter the location in the world, and he finally gave up (though not that long ago) asking each of his grown children every Sunday if they had done the same. Larry was stubborn, sarcastic, opinionated and outspoken—and all the good things a person needs to be memorable.

A private Celebration of Life service will be held in Summer 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Catholic Charities.