Lawrence H. Nawojski, age 81, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on, Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Survived by his wife of 59 years, Jacqueline E. Nawojski; sister, Janice M. Nawojski; nieces and nephews, Lisa A. Cicci, Brian (Gwen) Kay, Lindsey (Eric) LeFeber, Valerie (Christopher) Muller, Amanda (Philip) Bodinet; great nieces and great nephews, Crichton LeFeber, Madeline Bodinet, Xander LeFeber, and Natalie Bodinet

Preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Violet Nawojski; brother, Richard H. Nawojski, and his nephew's, Robert J. Kay and Joe Cicci.

Larry was a loving man of few words. His wife, Jacque, called him, "The Gentle Giant". Although he was a quiet man, he radiated joy with his genuine smile and laughter. Throughout his 81 years, he found many talents and passions and enjoyed sharing what he loved most in life with others.

Larry and Jacque started dating during their Senior year at St. Joseph High School. When they attended their 10-year Reunion in 1971, they found they were the only ones that married someone (each other) from their 1961 graduating class!

After high school, Larry worked at Wrigley Gum Company for 1½ years and said he was a pilot, since he was always piling bags of ingredients anywhere it was needed. Then in 1963, he joined the Air Force hoping to become a real pilot.

In the Air Force he went to Biloxi, MS (Keesler Air Force Base) for his initial training as an Airplane Equipment Maintenance Technician, as well taking additional training in Georgia. Then he was sent to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana and spent about two years there and loved it.

When Larry and Jacque decided to get married July of 1965, he thought his wife would join him in Montana, but in March of 1965, he learned he was being transferred to Hawaii (Hickham Air Force Base) and had to report two weeks after their wedding. Eventually, Jacque joined him in early October, and they had a memorable year in Hawaii. They would eventually return to the Islands in 2015 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

When Larry got out of the Air Force in August of 1966, they came back to Chicago, found jobs and lived in an apartment in the suburbs. They made a home in Richton Park for many years and eventually moved to Shorewood where they always had a family of "fur babies" whom they loved.

Larry had many interests, and he pursued them with enthusiasm. He loved to fish. When Larry and Jacque traveled to Walker, Minnesota, Larry would patiently teach her how to fish. This included baiting the hook and taking the fish off the hook. When his niece, Lisa, joined them one year, he taught her how to fish as well. He always helped others find joy in something he loved.

Another hobby he took interest in was lapidary, and so he joined the Chicago Lapidary Club. Also, he was president of The Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies in 1981-82. He mostly did cabochon work but also tried jewelry making and faceting. He also tried his hand at wood carving, which resulted in carving and painting three small Santas for himself and as gifts for others. He dabbled in painting watercolor pictures, and five of his creations adorn the walls of their home as a beautiful reminder of his talents.

He loved whales and dolphins, which he collected for quite a few years. His collection includes 27 different ones. Three of which, he painted himself when he started doing ceramics. This eventually led to him painting 63 Old World Santa's and a 21-piece Christmas Manger scene. Some of his handcrafted items would remain in his possession, while others would find their way as a gift to a family member or friend. Either way, he generously handcrafted things for others to enjoy!

He also loved wearing suspenders and had a collection of 46 which includes at least one for every holiday, as well as solid colors and special themed ones (e.g. one with Bald Eagles, who look like the Holy Ghost).

Larry and Jacque both love music, so they have been singing in numerous church choirs for over 50 years, as well as singing Handel's Messiah for 5 years at Christmas time. He also loved to watch John Wayne movies with Jacque.

He and Jacque were lucky to be able to travel to Alaska by ship and land, did a river cruise on the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, were able to go back to Hawaii on their 50th Anniversary and made more wonderful memories on Kauai and Oahu.

But their favorite place turned out to be Disney World in Florida. They went down there year after year and were Disney Vacation Club members as well. If you asked advice about Disney, they could tell you anything. Their home reflects their love for Disney in the pictures of Mickey and other Disney characters that hang on their walls.

Larry's most evident passion was flying. Larry always wanted to fly so he took flying lessons and got his license in 1982. Jacque loved going up with him. He stopped flying for many years; then his interest resurfaced, and he decided to build his own two-seater plane. He bought the plans in 2009 but didn't start building it until 2012. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to finish it, but perhaps, his EAA Chapter 95 friends will finish his dream, and it will soar one day through the skies - just as Larry soars now to the Heavens on Angel's wings.

Visitation for Larry will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 3:30-7:30PM at Farkas Funeral Home, 3201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Drive, Shorewood, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Per Larry's wished cremation rites will be accorded following services. Inurnment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery at later date.

For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com.