Henry S. Laurinat

Henry S. (Larry) Laurinat, 94, passed away Friday, July 24, 2015. He was born February 5, 1921 in Mapleton, Iowa. While he was attending Wayne State College he entered the U.S. Navy in January 1942 and was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator in December 1942. During WWII Commander Laurinat served in Bombing Squadron Three aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and then the USS Yorktown (CV-10). Following the war, he served a tour of duty in the Naval Air Advanced Training Command as a flight instructor. During 1948-1950, he served in Patrol (VP) Squadrons 41 and 47 as a Martin Mariner (PBM) pilot. His military career continued to have numerous assignments around the world including attending the Naval War College in Rhode Island in 1959-1960. He retired from military service in 1963 having been awarded the Air Medal with a Gold Star; The Presidential Citation; American Theater; Philippine Liberation and the China Service medals. He then continued his education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Economics degree from Wayne State College. He moved to Jacksonville in 1966 and began teaching social studies in the Duval County School system. He furthered his education by earning a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Jacksonville University. In 1970, he became Project Director for the City of Jacksonville Department of Housing and Urban Development. He continued to work in management positions through 1986 when he retired.

In 1946 he married Lois Jeanette Patterson in Jacksonville, FL. They were married for 65 years until her passing in 2011. He is survived by his two sons, Henry and Douglas.

Funeral service will be held at 11am, Friday, July 31, 2015 at Arlington Congregational Church, 431 University Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32211. Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Rd. N., Jacksonville www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com.