Lawrence Arthur Helber, age 59, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from advanced prostate cancer. He spent the past months surrounded by family and friends, enjoying each day as a wonderful gift. Larry kept an impressively positive outlook throughout his long cancer journey and in doing so, helped others do the same.
Larry was born in Cherry Hill, NC to Mary F and Lawrence Neal Helber, but spent most of his childhood in Tustin CA. Larry’s father was a career Marine and Vietnam MIA who went missing in 1964 when Larry was seven years old. Larry graduated from Tustin High School, then moved with his mother to Las Vegas NV. Larry married Margaret K Jones in 1988, then earned a degree in computer science from the University of Brockport in NY in 1991, becoming a software engineer. Larry and Margaret raised two wonderful sons, Lawrence Daniel Helber (23) and Christopher Helber (22), both of whom provided compassionate care for their ailing father.
Larry served as an active volunteer in Edgewood Methodist Church in Brighton NY and became a devoted and beloved member of this faith community. Always exhibiting a good sense of humor, he brought a smile and good cheer to those around him. Larry enjoyed many activities and hobbies, developing great skill and proficiency in each of them over the years. His favorites included sailing, woodworking, and more recently flame-working and motorcycle touring. Larry served as an officer in the Greater Rochester Gold Wing Road Riders Association for several years and loved riding with this group. He learned glassblowing and flame-working over the past few years, specializing in creating beautiful glass marbles.
Larry is survived by his wife of 25 years and caregiver Margaret Jones Helber, sons Lawrence Daniel Helber and Christopher Helber, sisters Leilani and (Darrell Stubblefield), and Margaret Scott, nephews Liam Darrah, Killian Darrah and Duncan Harvey, nieces Maggie Darrah, Amanda Cunningham (Ed Cunningham) and Caroline Harvey, grandnephew Austin Cunningham, and grandniece Olivia Cunningham.
A funeral service will be held at Edgewood Free Methodist Church 250 Edgewood Ave Rochester NY 14618 on Saturday January 13, 2018 at 11AM, followed by a BBQ lunch and festive celebration of Larry’s life immediately thereafter.
Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Wilmot Cancer Center.
I only knew Larry for about a year. We used to meet at Subway in the mornings at the 12 corners with Ed McGee and Mike Morrison. He was a wonderful man and had the greatest attitude toward his cancer. Larry had a great sense of humor and would make everyone laugh. Since I retired and moved to FL in June I missed seeing him but we were able to talk on the phone and FaceTime . I know having the family around him these last months meant so much to him and really keep his sprits up. I will miss him.
Sandy Wolcott
Larry was always a instigator of laughs in the THS band and then the receiver of stern looks from Mr. Lantz. Sad to see his passing here. He was the kind of guy who you’d want to be with when things weren’t going well. Like getting stuck on a mountain overnight! Looks like he spread his goodwill across the country. His sons can be proud of his legacy. RIP good guy.
Larry was my best friend too the end, he will always have a place in my heart. He was my best man as I was his, friends like Larry only come once in a lifetime, Larry was always making everyone around him laugh, He fell head over heels in love with Margaret and moved to New York, we all make new friends but your childhood friend is special. My prayers for you boys is to know how great your dad was, a man who touched all around him.. I will see you again brother in heaven. Love you
I meet Larry through the Rochester Gold Wing group. He was always up for a motorcycle ride. I rode on the back on numerous rides and always had funny conversations and sharing memories from our past. Larry was always upbeat through his ordeal. He will always remain in my heart and prayers.
I recall him being at the Pultneyville Yacht Club, he was a pretty sociable and fond of sailing. /sorry to hear about his passing.
Thank you for being an angel to many souls. Xo