Larry Steven Shoaff

Larry Steven Shoaff, age 71, long-time resident of Elk Rapids, passed away July 25, 2016 at home following a brief battle with cancer. Larry was born on June 30, 1945, to Grace and Clyde Shoaff in Highland Park, Mi. He was a 1963 graduate of Mumford High School in Detroit, and later received an Asssociates Degree from Oakland Community College. He was a proud Veteranof the United States Army, serving in Idar Oberstein, Germany, from 1966-68, and receiving an Honorable Discharge in July of 1972.

His career in retail grocery management took Larry and his wife, Mary Ann, to various locations over the years. He was sought after by major retailers for his knowledge and expertise in management, resulting in his accepting positions with various companies in Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin. His management skills particularly aided stores that had been struggling, as he could effectively reorganize and train staff in a positive manner and turn the negative into a positive. He actively mentored many young associates over the years, and was rewarded to see those individuals move on to achieve their own career successes.

Larry is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Ann, brothers Kenneth Robert(Catherine) Shoaff and Danny Michael (Michele) Shoaff, sister Lori Susan (Michael) Gardyko, and children from a previous marriage, daughter Elissa Megan Macintosh and sons Darin M. Shoaff, Brett A. Shoaff and Todd L. Shoaff.

Larry married the love of this life, Mary Ann, on May 26, 1984, at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids, Mi. The two were inseparable from that moment on, often being jokingly referred to as “joined at the hip” by friends and family. Larry took that as a huge compliment, and felt so blessed to have found such complete and total love with his wife. He looked forward to their weekly “date nights” and the occasional impromptu weekend getaways, mostly to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where they had lived for several years at one time and had many friends. The love and joy that they shared together was evident to all who knew them, and their special romance continued for all their 32 years of marriage.

Larry was a long-time blood donor, had served on his condo association’s board, and was always there to help out a friend or neighbor. He was an avid reader and usually in the middle of a good book. He enjoyed the occasional golf game, long walks and bike rides, time spent with great friends and family, and most especially, time with his wife. He was grateful for so much in his life and felt blessed to have been able to retire with Mary Ann back in their beloved Elk Rapids.

A celebration of Larry's life will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 1:00p.m. with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. at Covell Funeral Home in Elk Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested donations go to : Michigan Blood Bank, Cancer Research or charity of one’s choosing.

Please share a memory of Larry on the family's online guestbook.