Lawrence M. Longo

Lawrence Michael Longo

 July 8, 1955 - May 19, 2023

After a valiant fight spanning six years against seven stage IV cancers, Larry’s extraordinary battle ended on May, 19, 2023.  His bravery, strength, positivity, perseverance, and sheer will to live will forever be an inspiration.

He was born to Florene and Michael Longo on July 8, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood, attended Southwest High School, and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He spent his 45 year career as a CPA, Financial Controller, and CFO.

Larry had many loves in his life. He loved ice cold Bud Select, good Italian red wine, and his wife’s gourmet cooking. 

He loved the water, was a certified scuba diver, spent countless weekends boating at the lake with friends, and loved being at the beach and ocean. In his final year, Larry’s last time in the water was a cannonball off a steep cliff in Italy into the Mediterranean Sea.

Larry loved all things sports. He was in his element watching his boys play soccer, his grandson play baseball, and spent his final months being a super fan for his granddaughters’ teams. He loved college and the pros—Cardinals baseball, Rams football, any Mizzou game—you name it, Larry would be there. He spent hours preparing the perfect meats and marinades for tailgating, had limes cut and ready for beers, and often brought his kids along for the fun with his friends. Larry was also an avid golfer, and some of his happiest moments were on the golf course with friends and sons, practicing his beloved hobby. 

Larry was the most intelligent and kindest man any of us knew. He worked full time through five years of grueling cancer treatments and surgeries, prioritizing providing for his family and staying active and sharp. He was the ace on any trivia team, knew every obscure question during family trivial pursuit games, could always be counted on for calm and practical insight. Larry coached his sons’ soccer teams, fixed his grandson’s chip shot in his final days, and was the ultimate encourager of his grandaughters’ creative passions. Their artwork was hanging proudly all over his office, and the last concert he saw was his granddaughter singing “Fight Song” directly to her beloved Pops. 

Larry was an only child, but he was never truly alone. He had “The Boys” as his lifelong companions and devoted friends, and the countless adventures they shared over the years, cross country road trips, scuba diving in the Grand Caymens, and general mayhem, are legendary and bring great joy in this time of loss. 

But while Larry had many great loves in his life, the greatest was his wife, Janet.  Janet and Larry met at age fifteen and were high school sweethearts. They built a beautiful marriage that spanned 45 years and 364 days. Larry said the greatest gift she gave him was his children, and he loved the big family they built as dearly as her.

Larry was surrounded by the love of family and dear friends until his last day.  He was an extraordinarily good man who will be forever missed.  

He is survived by his wife Janet (Schoenbeck) Longo; daughter Carrie (Christopher) Bennett; sons Kyle (Sarah) Longo and Christopher (Kayleigh) Longo; grandchildren Luke, Abigail, Sophia, Evvie, Gianna, Collins, and Vivianna; dear sisters and brothers-in law, dear nieces and nephews, and countless dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, Larry wished any donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He said that he was blessed with three healthy children and seven healthy grandchildren, so he was passionate about fighting childhood cancer.