Born in Detroit, Michigan, Larry was the oldest son and third of six children of Celeste and John Waldsmith (Mary, Jacqueline, Dan, Barbara and Lois). When his father died, Larry, a teenager, helped support his mother and younger siblings.

He attended University of Detroit Jesuit and St. Cecilia High Schools in Detroit. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army in Japan, working on postwar projects. Upon discharge, he attended Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield, Michigan. He became a partner of architect Harold Eskovitz. Several years later, he established his own successful architectural business.

He married Sharon Foley in August of 1957. They had three children: Lynn, Michael and Matthew, and five grandchildren: John, Breyanna, Eileen, Erin and Sena. He and Sharon retired to Heritage Palms in the early 2000's, where he was a longtime member of the Rovers Golf Group. His St. Cecilia classmates still hold monthly luncheons, which he enjoyed attending when he was in Michigan.

Besides golf, Larry loved fishing, poker, cruises, reading history books and smoking cigars. He also served as an usher for many years at St. John XIII Catholic Church.

The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Fort Myers, FL.