It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that Larry Pearce has passed away. Larry helped to establish CRHNet in 2003, acted as Executive Director and a board member for many years, as well as started HazNet as a newsletter in 2009. His contribution to this field and industry is one of his many amazing legacies.
April 01 1934 – January 02 2021
Larry died peacefully, holding his wife’s hand at the North Shore Hospice. Cherished husband of Laurie, Larry will be missed by his son Scott (Heather), granddaughter Allie, brother-in-law Marc (Judith) and daughter-in-law Cathy. He was predeceased by his parents Martha and Arthur Pearce, his son Kelly and his brother Art (Merle).
Born in Saskatoon, SK he moved to Victoria, BC when he was ten and upon graduation from Vic High he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed at Comox – he enjoyed recounting his many stories of being the navigator on board the Lancaster airplanes. He married Grace and had two sons, moving across Canada to various postings with the Canadian Army and he was the military attaché at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC during the Watergate era – a highlight of his career. He returned to Canada and was the Commandant at the Nanaimo Military Camp and retired with the rank of Major. He then embarked on his second career in emergency management with Emergency Preparedness Canada, marrying Laurie along the way, and culminating as Regional Director for BC and the Yukon.
He then devoted himself to volunteer work, as the Ex. Director of Pan-Pacific Hazards ’96, President of the Emergency Social Services Association, Director of the Emergency Preparedness of Commerce and Industry Council of BC and the Sunshine Falls Road Society. He served as Executive Director for the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network for many years and was proud to have had a student award named for him. Larry was always willing to help others and he mentored and guided many in government and in the emergency management field. He was a Friend of JIBC and has been the recipient of numerous lifetime achievement awards.
He will be remembered as a welcoming host, making friends wherever he went; for his sense of humour, his love of golf and travel, and for his generosity. He will be deeply missed by his many friends, cousins, nephew and nieces and other family. “No Celebration of Life,” for me Larry said, “I want an Irish Wake!” Once it is safe to do so, that will happen and notices will be sent. Larry would be pleased if you wish to make a donation in his memory to support the Larry Pearce Education Award for emergency management students at CRHNET. Please share your stories at the Larry Dale Pearce – ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials.
To donate to the Larry Pearce Educational Aware please click here: https://crhnet.ca/donations/donate-larry-pearce/
Oh, its so sorry to know that Larry Pearce you passed away. We had talkked in Vancouver symposium in 2007. I remember you and your support for CRHnet. May the Departed Soul of Larry Rest in Peace.
I met Larry at the 2007 CRHNet Symposium which was held in Vancouver. It was a superb event and ran like clockwork and that was all down to Larry and Laurie. What a team! Behind the scenes they put in many hours before, during and after that symposium, and indeed again in later CRHNet symposiums. Following the 2007 Symposium Larry created a ‘playbook’ for future CRHNet symposiums which still serves as a very useful resource. Working with Larry later on the CRHNet Board of Directors it was clear that Larry was a dedicated and hardworking professional with the aim of advancing disaster and risk management. And always with a smile. He served as a mentor for many of us; ever ready and willing to help. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with Larry. He made a difference! My condolences to Laurie.
Larry was an amazing leader in the field of Emergency Management, a generous mentor, and a wonderful friend who will be greatly missed by so many of us. My thoughts and love are with you Laurie.
I spent a few terrific years working for the Emergency Social Services Association when Larry was the President. Through that time I got to know Larry and Laurie quite well, and had the pleasure of being invited to their house for dinner on a number of occasions. Larry was a joy to work for and with. He was a gentleman in every respect and a very knowledgeable person when it came to emergency preparedness and management. I learned a lot from him. We shared many hours together working on behalf of all the ESS volunteers in the province and I like to think we accomplished a lot on their behalf during our relatively short time together. RIP Larry!!!
Larry was truly a great man. I will miss him.
I will always remember what he did for CRHNet
Thank you Larry for your contribution to this field – you truly blazed a trail for all of us to follow, and we will be forever grateful for that.
My condolences to Laurie and the rest of the family – I know that his passing must weigh heavy on your hearts. Courage and strength to you all.