Larry Michael Kostyniuk

Musician, dreamer, teacher and truly one-of-a-kind, Larry passed away suddenly and much too young on Sunday, May 16th at the age of 71 years. Born in Edmonton to Mike and Dorothy, Larry was an ‘army brat,’ picking up and moving every couple of years to a new posting, including Montreal (where younger brother Jimmy came along), Ottawa, Petawawa, Metz, France and Halifax, making new friends and memories along the way, memories Larry could relate back to you at the drop of a hat (one of Larry’s favourite conversation starters was “I remember when …”). Music was always a big part of the Kostyniuk family … Mom was a gifted piano player and teacher and Dad loved to sing and put on a show. As a little kid, Larry picked up his Uncle Keith’s ukulele and the lead guitarist was born. Always fascinated by history, Larry started University of Calgary with plans to become a history teacher, but he graduated with a BFA in Photography. He tinkered with a few ‘careers’ over his lifetime including selling groovy threads in Calgary’s East Village in the hippie heyday, stuccoing new homes with his university buddy in the 70’s, and as a letter carrier with Canada Post, but Larry’s first love was always music. His gigs with his early bands … including Lunatic Fringe and The Adventures of Boot Hill … and as Mad Larry the DJ at weddings, birthdays and fundraisers throughout Calgary were legendary. In the 80’s, Larry started teaching guitar and harmony singing with the Board of Education Continuing Ed program, while entertaining regularly at the Fanning Centre, seniors’ care homes, community centres, Christmas parties and Stampede breakfasts. When cutbacks forced the cancellation of Larry’s classes in 2017, he carried on with his Play and Sing jam sessions out of his living room and back yard.

Larry was really just a big kid … a guy who never seemed to get older. He had the special gift of being able to connect with people of all ages, at any level. He just loved to play and sing and to be able to bring joy to people’s lives, wherever and whenever he could. Larry’s interests were many and varied, and if he wasn’t playing guitar, he would love nothing more than to talk for hours over a couple of beers, discussing everything from the creation of the cosmos to the latest Simpsons episode he had just watched, or the big trip he took to Arizona back in the 70’s in his van. At home in Calgary, amongst his old albums, tapes, CDs, DVDs, books and memories, Larry loved to relax, eat, play music, watch old movies, and tinker with new guitar licks and song harmonies. A true child of the 60’s, Larry danced to the beat of his own drum, and he lived life the way he wanted to … suggestions from others were always appreciated, but “I’m doing just fine, thanks very much.”

Larry will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his partner Annette, his brother Jimmy and sis-in-law Cheryl, his Aunt Gladys, many cousins, his myriad music students, so many of whom became close friends, and all those whose lives were touched by this amazing guy. Larry was predeceased by his dad Mike in 2008 and his mom Dorothy in 2019.

"If you believe in forever, then life is just a one-night stand.

If there’s a rock and roll heaven, well you know they’ve got a hell of a band."

Think Larry’s jammin’ with the band yet? Keep on playin’ and singin,’ man … and we’ll catch you on the flip side. Peace, love & music!

A big wing-ding celebration of Larry’s time on this earth will be held once restrictions are lifted and things get back to some kind of normal. In the meantime, please share your stories, anecdotes, and memories of Larry on the Foster’s Garden Chapel website. Memorial donations in Larry’s name for music therapy programs can be made to Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre at https://carewest.ca/donating.