It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Larry Roger Bergandine at the age of 86 in his home at Cape Coral, FL on January 3, 2024. We celebrate his courage and mightiness throughout his life to his final hour. He held on with grace and unimaginable strength to see his grandchildren one last time before his next journey. Larry was born in Decatur, IL on January 26, 1937, and was the youngest son of Marion and Olive Bergandine. He is survived by his loving wife, Dolores Zahnen Bergandine, daughters, Leslie Corona Pileggi and Danielle Bergandine Villegas, his grandchildren, Joey and Deliona Villegas, his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Janet Bergandine, his niece and nephews, Sue Bergandine, David Bergandine, Brent Bergandine, Doug Bergandine and their beautiful families, and his brother-in-law James Zahnen. He was predeceased by his parents, his nephew Jeff Bergandine, and his sister-in-law, Marsha Rothman Zahnen.

Larry grew up in Decatur, IL. He attended university at Tulane New Orleans, Northwestern in Chicago, and the University of Illinois in Champagne. Among his scholastic studies and personal pursuits were athletics such as basketball, baseball, and golf, and humanities like literature, theatre, and classical music. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. He embraced works such as those written by Dostoyevsky, Faulkner, and Stephen King and compositions by Mahler, Beethoven, and Chopin. He carried his passion for all of them and other Greats throughout his life and welcomingly shared that joy with any kindred spirits.

While his youthful aspirations were that of becoming a lawyer in Buenos Aires, or work for the United Nations, or secretly to become the orchestra conductor for the Philharmonic Orchestra, he committed his efforts to his career in the mortgage insurance industry. He worked for Bell Federal and later for Sears Mortgage. He was recognized as a leader and an innovator within the mortgage insurance industry at the height of his career. During his retirement, Larry ran a local non-profit food pantry in Necedah, WI with his wife, Dolores.

Even greater than his business acumen was his love and devotion to his family. Larry was a silent hero to his daughters. He was always there to offer loving guidance, encouragement, and kindness to his daughters. He offered gentle thoughtful care and support without strings. He gave them a safe platform for the freedom to live life on their own terms; a liberty he revered and deeply believed in. He was a steadfast unwavering husband who loved and admired his beautiful wife, Dolores, through more than 60 years of marriage.

Larry was a man of kindness, intellect, and compassion. He lived by example and emanated a gentleness that empowered him with the ability to teach without seeming like he was instructing all those whose lives he touched. That was some of the magic about him. Though quiet and often stoic, Larry's warmth, charisma, and lack of prejudice opened the door for many friendships along his path. We will love, cherish, and honor him for the rest of our lives.

No service will be held, but all prayers for his next journey and our family are welcome.