Obituary of Larry P. Lang

Larry P. Lang, 73, of McCann Hollow Road, Olean, passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, following a long battle with diabetes and cancer, since 2006. Larry was born on Aug. 12, 1942 and was a son of Wilford "Will" and Betsy "Peg" Lang. He married Barbara Ann Exner on May 1, 1965 in St. Mary's Church in Little Valley, and celebrated over 50 years of marriage. Larry was in the first class to graduate from Walsh High School in 1961, where he was the best basketball player, known as Gunner. Larry graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business Institute with a degree in Sales Accounting & Business Management in 1962. Larry worked for Coca-Cola, Shoemaker Engineering and helped build Cloud Nine where he ran the Ferris Wheel. He worked for Dresser Rand for 36 years and was the Supervisor of Inventory Control. Larry was a 70 plus year life long member of St. Mary of the Angels Church. He was an Elvis Fan and also a Buffalo Bills Fan. Larry started coaching Girls Softball Team at School 11 while he was still in High School. Larry coached pony football in South Olean for 14 years. He coached the Little League Angels for 7 years, and was the Commissioner of the Farm league for 2 years. Larry bowled for 44 years in the Olean Bowling Association. He was a volunteer fireman in the Town of Olean for several years and was a member of the National Management Association and a member of the Dresser Rand Retirees. He was a life long member of the Olean St. Stephen's Club and a member of the Olean Senior League and the Olean Coasters. Larry was an avid basketball player and sportsman who hunted and fished. He always had a great vegetable garden. Larry enjoyed playing with his children and grandchildren. He was a great swimmer and was a sharp card player, for he enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends. Larry also enjoyed going to garage sales with Tony. Larry coordinated weekly coffee get togethers with his retired co-workers and friends from Dresser Rand. Larry always made his family & friends happy. Larry was especially fond of his cat, Pearl. He always had a great sense of humor, and always made you smile & laugh together. Larry will be missed for all the fun he had raising his kids and grandkids, and he will be sadly missed by all of us. Larry was the best husband and dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend in the whole world. He always took the time for you and to be with you, for he was the BEST, and a very humble man. Surviving Mr. Lang besides his loving wife Barbara of over 50 years are a daughter, Mary A. Lang of Buffalo; a son, Mark J. (Susan) Lang of Olean; two granddaughters, Sarah A. & Olivia J. "Angel" Lang of Olean; a grandson, Robert S. Ackerman, Jr. of Olean; a brother, Wilford "Bill" (Sharon) Lang of Myrtle Beach, SC; two sisters, Carol L. Keller of Hinsdale, and Marcia A. (Steve) Yurek of Olean; two sisters-in-law, Joan Tyler of Telford, PA, and Pat Exner of Schenectady, NY; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends, Corky & Howard, who have been very close since high school. Larry was predeceased by his father, Wilford "Will" Lang in 1980; his mother, Betsy "Peg" Lang in 1993; a sister, Jean Chokrach in 2005; a brother-in-law, John Chokrach in 1966; his mother-in-law, Elsie Exner in 1966; his father-in-law, William "Bill" Exner 1998; a brother-in-law, Paul "Tiny" Exner 2000; two brothers-in-law, William "Bill" Exner, Jr. in 2012, and George R. Tyler, Sr. in 2013; and special friends, Dana Whittaker in 2011 and Nancy Colligan in 2015. Relatives and friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, #646 E. State Street, Olean on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 beginning with a prayer service at 12:30 in the funeral home, followed by a 1:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, Pastor, will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Cattaraugus County S.P.C.A., 2944 Rt.16 N., Olean, NY 14760 or to St. Mary of the Angels Church, 202 South Union Street, Olean, NY 14760.