Obituary: Larry Craybas, 77 of Bethel - Bethel, CT Patch
May 17, 2019Larry was born in Syracuse, New York and graduated from Syracuse University, majoring in business. While at Syracuse, on a 4 year scholarship, he lettered in both baseball and basketball. Larry and his family moved several times across the country during a successful 28 year executive career with Kraft General Foods. The family settled in Bethel where they resided for nearly 40 years. After retirement, Larry made a huge impact on Bethel's Educational System , serving as Vice Chair for 2 years and Chairman of the Board for 8 years. He was totally committed to the Bethel Schools and his main goal was to provide a quality education for every child. He was instrumental in acquiring approval for the renovations to Rockwell and Johnson Elementary Schools. Dedicated to his community, Larry volunteered his time with Bethel's Visiting Nurses Association, C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) for the Bethel Health Department , was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church serving both as a lector and eucharistic minister, and other local non profit organizations. Larry's retirement hobbies included cooking and creating a family cookbook, boating on Candlewood Lake, hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren and participating as a member of Bethel Fish and Game. Larry also was the Gift Cottage's resident landscaper and took great pride in the mandevilla, roses and flowers. His reward was the many compliments and conversations he encountered while gardening and his payment was made with chocolate truffles. A devoted family man, Larry was most proud of his bond with his grandchildren and attended almost every musical, dance recital, plays and sporting events over the years...he was their biggest mentor and cheerleader. Larry is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Joan. His children, Terri Cardile, Bob (Karen), Dr. Gregory (Suzanne) and Doug (Alicia) and his grandchildren: Frank, Zachary , Jenna, Jake, Hannah, Evan and Matthew. Larry is also survived by his brothers, Dr. Norbert Crayb...
