Obituary of Larry William Bentley

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Larry William Bentley on July 17, 2018. The oldest of 10 children, Larry was born in Southern Ontario and grew up in the Niagara Region, where he married and had four children. Larry left Ontario in the late 1960’s, working at many different jobs along the way such as oilfield, manufactured mobile homes and bartender. He had a story for every job he worked and every place he lived along the way. Larry arrived in Grande Prairie in the early 1970’s and it was here that he found his passion and learned the upholstery trade from Wolfgang Schroeder, Master Upholsterer. Upon completion of his apprenticeship he set up his own upholstery business which then grew to include secondhand and pawn.

Larry remarried in 1975 and started a second family, adding two more children. Larry joined the Swan City Breakfast Lions Club and discovered his second passion, volunteering. He could often be found fundraising for the Lions Club or other community groups working bingo’s, casinos or selling raffle tickets. In 2002, serious health conditions forced Larry into retiring. He found small jobs as a gas jockey then later at the Bingo hall as an employee, but he never gave up his volunteering that he loved
so much. He was an active volunteer until ill health forced him to retire from that as well.

Larry was predeceased by both of his parents and both mother and father-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice and their two children; daughter, Colleen (Greg) Estey and their three children, Cailen, Brett and Devin; and son William (Monique) Bentley and William’s children Mackenzie and Madison. Larry also leaves behind his four children from his first marriage; Annette, Kathy, Paul and Philip and their children and grandchildren. Larry will be greatly missed by his family and the community in which he lived.

The family would like to thank the EMS, Grande Prairie RCMP, Grande Prairie Fire Department and Victim Services for all of their help on the night of his passing. We would also like to extend a special thanks to next door neighbor Brad Reynolds, who administered CPR until the paramedics arrived, and all of the other wonderful neighbors for their moral support.

Memorial donations can be made to Safety City, c/o Grande Prairie & Area Safe Communities, 10318 92 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5K9 or online donations can be sent using CanadaHelps at www.gpsafecommunities.com/contact-us.html