Cover photo for Larry Philip Tolan's Obituary
Larry Philip Tolan Profile Photo
1948 Larry 2020

Larry Philip Tolan

August 19, 1948 — November 8, 2020

Larry Philip Tolan

            Larry Philip Tolan, age 72, of Alpena, passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center of Alpena after a brief illness.

            On August 19, 1948, Larry was born in Alpena, Michigan to the late Art and Dolores (Piaskowski) Tolan Sr. The second oldest of eight children, he attended St. Mary Catholic School and graduated from Alpena High School in 1966, received degrees at Alpena Community College for welding and mechanics. Larry sailed on the steamer David P. Thompson for years and worked at R.A. Townsend, Besser Company, Huron Portland Cement, and retired from T.B.T.A. He was a master of most trades and enjoyed yard work, casino trips, building houses and boat docks with his father. Larry admired his grandfather Phil and uncle Fr. Leo Piaskowski; who were his Bell Bay neighbors at Grand Lake. Steadfast in his faith, Larry attended St. Anne Catholic Church of All Saints Parish and prayed daily for his family whom he loved. He will be remembered for his many stories of farming, hunting, and fishing over the years. He was grateful for his granddaughter Sierra Elliott who helped him along his journey.

            Larry is survived by his wife Sherry (Zielaskowski) Tolan who was his teenage crush and neighbor. They married on July 9, 2011, at St. Anne Catholic Church by Fr. Rolando Silva. He is also survived by his son: Jason Tolan of LaGrange, IL; two daughters: Julie Tolan of Atlanta, MI and Jeanette Tolan of Palm Harbor, FL; two step-daughters: Michelle Corwin of Long Beach, MS and Melissa (Chad) Brousseau- O'Dell of Midland, MI; four brothers: Jim Tolan and Tom Tolan of Ionia, MI;  Allan (Cindy) Tolan and Mike Tolan of Alpena, MI; three sisters: Linda (Gary) Elliott, Kathy (Greg) Elliott, and Debbie Peterson all  of Traverse City, MI; six grandchildren: Sierra, Emily, Madison, Noah, Hailey and Trenton; six step-grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: Sophie of Estonian Russia along with several nieces and nephews and his former wife Gail Wallace.

            He was preceded in death by his parents and a special aunt: Mary Ann Madden.

            Family and friends will gather for Memorial Visitation on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service begins at Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home with Fr. James Fitzpatrick officiating.

            Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

            In memory of Larry memorials may be made to All Saints Catholic School


Memorial Service

KARPUS HUNTER FUNERAL HOME
  • 516 W CHISHOLM ST
    Alpena, Michigan 49707
  • Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Karpus-Hunter Funeral Home: Memorial Visitation 1:00 PM -2:00 PM; Memorial Service 2:00 PM

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Philip Tolan, please visit our flower store.

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