Charles L. Larkin

Charles Lewis Larkin III, Sandy, died Monday, May 22, 2017 of early on-set frontal temporal dementia.

Sandy was truly unforgettable and memorable, one of a kind, Rara Avis “a rare bird.” He was “Old School” in demeanor and inclination, but this intelligent, honest and handsome man readily displayed his own polite brand of irreverence and sense of humor and will be remembered by all for his larger than life smile and singular laugh. Being in Sandy’s presence was to experience pure charisma.  He was equally comfortable befriending or talking to the local waitress or the CEO of a large corporation. His enduring qualities were his kind and gentle manner. His essence, in both his life and his long illness can be summed up in three words: Courage, Humor and Dignity.

He was born on April, 3, 1945 in New York City to Dr. and Mrs. Charles L. Larkin Jr., but grew up in Middlebury and lived there most of his life, attending McTernan School in Waterbury, Philips Academy, in Andover Massachusetts, and the University of Denver, where he was a lacrosse star, who after almost 50 years is still in the record books for most goals scored and points earned per game.

Sandy was a Renaissance man, a man of many talents and varied interests, including at different times in his life, a golf and tennis champion, a pilot, a dairy farmer, featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” and a story teller. He was a dedicated and prolific community volunteer throughout his life, serving tirelessly his beloved Highfield Club, Chase Collegiate School, Connecticut Community Foundation, and Westover School. He was a superb athlete, a world traveler, beer aficionado, lacrosse and squash coach, tree farmer, geography buff, marvelous father, and lover of any kind of ice cream, especially root beer floats.  He proudly served during the Vietnam War in Pan Mun Jom , Korea in the DMZ.

We will hold on tightly to, and remember Sandy’s kind and generous spirit and his unwavering loyalty to his family, friends, schools, and passions.

Always true to his own moral compass, Sandy showed a gentle compassion and helpful spirit throughout his life. His willingness to graciously teach what he knew, whether it was how to putt, or the history of the Iranian conflict, or where to find the most beautiful beach in Thailand.

He leaves behind his wife of 29 years, Mary Elizabeth “Mel” Larkin of Middlebury; his son, Charles L Larkin IV “Casey” of New York City and his daughter Diana Meigs Larkin of New York City; his mother Anne Larkin; sisters and brother, Marian Larkin, David (Susan) Larkin, Sally (Peter) Larkin and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held on Saturday, June 10th at Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks, that if you wish, you may consider a donation in Sandy’s name to one of the following, Chase Collegiate School, 565 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, 06708; The Wilderness Skills Fund, in care of the Connecticut Community Foundation, 43 Field Street, Waterbury, Ct, 06702; orUniversity of Denver Men’s Lacrosse Program, 2201 East Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO, 8021

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