Larry P. Lang
1942 - 2016

OLEAN - 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 and business management in 1962.

Larry worked for Coca-Cola and 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 lifelong member of St. Mary of the Angels Church. He was an Elvis fan and also a Buffalo Bills fan. Larry started coaching the girl's 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 seven years, and was the commissioner of the farm league for two 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 lifelong 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, who 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 coworkers and friends from Dresser Rand. Larry always made his family and friends happy. Larry was especially fond of his cat, Pearl. He always had a great sense of humor, and always made people smile and 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. and Olivia J. "Angel" Lang of Olean; a grandson, Robert S. Ackerman Jr. of Olean; a brother, Wilford "Bill" (Sharon) Lang of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; 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; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends, Corky and Howard, who have been very close since high school

Relatives and friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 E. State St., Olean. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday (Feb. 9, 2016) beginning with a prayer service at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home, followed by a 1 p.m. 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.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cattaraugus County SPCA, 2944 Route 16 N., Olean, NY 14760; or to St. Mary of the Angels Church, 202 S. Union St., Olean, NY 14760.