Larry Keith was welcomed into the world by parents Ivan and Joy (Des Chenes) Fidler on September 29, 1945, in Hanover. Larry was followed by siblings Dale, Bruce, Jo-Anne, John, Susanne, Dawn, Terrilea, Timothy and Jeremy. Sadly, Jeremy died during infancy. The Fidler family lived in Elmwood, and Larry attended school in Elmwood and when the school became too full, he attended S.S#7 Bentinck Howie School.

Larry’s hard work ethic began while he was young. After grade 8, Larry had many jobs, even having sixteen jobs in one year! He worked for Dirstein Sawmill in Elmwood, drove trucks and logged for Bert Stanborough. Larry joined the Local 793 Operating Union as a Heavy Equipment Operator and was a member for 53 years. He started with Ontario Hydro as a firefighter and worked there for twenty years until he was requested to take a position in first aid, so he decided to leave.  After leaving Ontario Hydro, Larry drove trucks for Walter Mair Trucking for 10 years. He then started working at Bruce Power as a Heavy Equipment Operator and retired from there at 65 years old. Throughout working for these different companies, he also helped Ivan Schuknecht and his family on the farm.

Growing up in Elmwood, Larry’s family was very well known in the community. Larry got to know a young woman by the name of Carole Ann Pegelo and had asked her out for a date a few times. After a few times saying no, Carole agreed, and their first date was in July of 1968 at a friend’s wedding reception. On this night, Larry knew instantly that Carole was the one for him, asking her to marry him that night. He continued to ask, and she finally said yes in September of the same year, and they were married two months later on November 2, 1968, at St. John’s United Church. Larry and Carole lived with Carole’s mother, until they bought property across the road from the cemetery in Elmwood. They welcomed their first child Pam in June of 1969, followed by Cory in 1971, and Tammie in 1973. When all three children were born, Larry would drop Carole off at the hospital and head straight to work. In 1976, they built the house they are in now, still across from the cemetery. When their children were growing up, Larry was busy working but still made time for his family. They spent two weeks every year camping in a trailer, and Larry would take them fishing, water skiing, and snowmobiling.

Although Larry worked a lot, he still had time to become a volunteer firefighter with the Elmwood Fire Department, serving for 45 dedicated years. When he started, before they had pagers, the bell would ring at the fire hall and all that were available to go would attend the call. Eventually, Carole became one of the people who took the calls. Larry became a training captain, and he retired when he turned 65.

Larry enjoyed activities where he could socialize with friends over a glass of Wisers Special Deluxe. He took a week off each year (the only time he took holidays) for moose hunting with friends, and he also went deer hunting mainly for the socializing. Larry often fished with his brother-in-law Jim Walker. Every month, about ten local men gathered in Larry’s shop for the “hair cutting club” with Bob the Barber to get their hair cut and smoke, drink and spend time together. It was something he always looked forward to each month. Larry liked curling, stock car racing, and playing baseball, and in later years, he played baseball with his kids, his siblings, and their kids. He enjoyed listening to Country/Western music, with Willie’s Roadhouse being a favourite, especially during the hair cutting club. Larry was always in the shop tinkering away on motors, lawn mowers, and chainsaws. Although he didn’t have his license, he was a great mechanic that could keep a car running.

Larry loved everyone and was a social butterfly. He was always willing to help. Larry’s family was the most important thing to him. The love Larry and Carole shared was a good example to their family and those around them of what true love was. They were married for 56 years and supported each other every day and were each other’s best friend. Larry was a devoted father and was so proud of everything his children accomplished. His love grew when his two grandsons, Darcy and Jorgen were born. He took them for many rides in the truck and bought them battery operated motorcycles and four wheelers. When they would break, he would fix them for the boys. He truly enjoyed watching them grow up.

Right after he turned 65, Larry had a stroke. After his stroke, the only words he could get out were “Cory” and “whiskey”. Larry remained at home for 12 years with the support and care of his family until he was placed in Brucelea Haven in August of 2022. Although he couldn’t be at home, almost every Saturday and Sunday, Cory would pick him up in the morning and bring him back home for the day, taking him back after supper time. This gave something for Larry to look forward to each week. Sadly, Larry’s health started to decline, and he passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Walkerton, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in his 80th year.

Beloved husband of Carole Fidler (Pegelo). Loving father of Pamela Fidler, Cory Fidler, both of Elmwood, and Tammie Burgess (Perry Carter) of Hanover. Cherished grandfather of Darcy Burgess (Ella Bester) and Jorgen Burgess (Carly Schweyer) and will be missed by his four legged companion Oreo. Dear brother of Bruce (Donna) Fidler of Chesley, Joanne (Shane) Jackson of Desboro, John Fidler (Elaine Young) of Hanover, Susanne Leifso, Dawn (Alf) Brenndorfer, Terrilea Fidler, all of Elmwood, and Tim Fidler of Toronto, and brother-in-law of Karen Fidler of Chesley, Jean Daniels of Guelph, Marg Walker of Hanover, Lorne Pegelo of Elmwood, and JD Hopkins of Durham. Larry will be missed by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Dale and Jeremy Fidler, brothers-in-law Brian Leifso, John Daniels, Jim Walker, sisters-in-law June Pegelo and Audrey Hopkins, and his parents Ivan and Joy (Des Chenes) Fidler.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at the Elmwood Community Centre (upper level) on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1 – 4 p.m. Private spring inurnment in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery Columbarium, Elmwood.  

Memorial donations to Brucelea Haven Activation Fund, Saugeen Hospice Inc., or Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.