Larry LaBathe

In Memoriam - Larry W. LaBathe

Anchor of Loved Ones. Beloved Husband, Dad, Son-in-Law, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin.

Age 73, of Chisago City, formerly of St. Paul. Passed unexpectedly on April 18, 2022 at the cabin near Brainerd. Preceded in death by son, Troy; mother, Jacqualyn and father, Willard. Survived by devoted wife, Angie of Chisago City MN; daughters, Tammy (Dean) of St. Paul MN, Tina (Jim) of Lindstrom MN, Stephany and Christyn; daughter-in-law, Echo; grandchildren, Brandon, Jessica, Casey, Chris, Mason, Alayna and Jamie; four great grandchildren; brother, Tom (Karla) of Hemet CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. After growing up on the St. Paul eastside, Larry, a traditionalist, followed his father into the St. Paul Police Department at the earliest age allowed: 21 years. “Snake”, as he was affectionately called, and his partner John DeWitt, became a bulwark for the squads patrolling St. Paul’s eastside. Over 27 years of dedicated attention to the profession, Larry was assigned in various positions including Patrol, Street Crimes, Skyway and Juvenile. But 24 years of partnership with Angie was really the love of his life. A man of few words in a crowd, Larry was a warm, sensitive and giving man when the layers were peeled off. Always volunteering for the plight of the less empowered. He worked with a lab rescue in Indiana shortly after his retirement from the police department, and then Can Do Canines assistance dogs upon his return to Minnesota, training service dogs, and welcoming litters of pups for the organization for many years. Watching him interact with his house full of puppies, most police friends would not recognize the Larry they knew. He smiled and laughed a lot in retirement. Larry used his skills for years as a ski instructor to start and operate an adaptive winter sports program for kids and adults with a love of winter sports in Indiana at Perfect North Slopes and again here at Trollhaugen. At the end, he would stretch for hours beforehand just to loosen his painful joints in preparation for the day at Trollhaugen. An SPPD Ski Team member, Larry met and skied with other officers from around the world, participating in national police team competitions. He was also the current Treasurer of the St. Paul Police Retirement Assn; yet another volunteer position wherein he looked out for his fellow retirees. Larry loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman; cloistered up in Brainerd most of the summer. Tooling around town in his 1963 Corvair convertible and attending car shows was always something he made time for. We, who remain, are shocked to our souls and miss him incredibly. A Visitation will be held 4pm-7pm with a Memorial Service to follow on Wednesday, May 18th, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.