Larry J Amato

Larry J. Amato age 84 passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday January 7th, 2025 at Dublin Methodist Hospital. Larry was born in Richwood, Ohio on March 19, 1940 to the late Joseph M. & Lottie J. Amato. After graduating from Marion-Harding High School class of 1958, Larry joined the United States Navy where he served our country for 4 years a helicopter/aircraft mechanic. While in the Navy, Larry was stationed in Pensacola, FL and Annapolis, MD. One of the highlights of his service in the Navy was in 1961 when he was assigned to the tarmac to guide and direct the landing of the Marine One helicopter with President Kennedy on board. After being honorably discharged as an “E-6 Ensign” in 1963, Larry began working for the Erie Lackawanna railroad, which in 1976 which became Conrail, and in 1999 was absorbed into the Norfolk Southern Railroad. During his career with the railroad Larry was a machinist, working on repairs and maintenance to Locomotives, Railcars, Road Vehicles and track maintenance. Larry retired from the Norfolk Southern railroad in 2000 after 37 years of faithful service. Through out his life, Larry helped a lot of people in a lot of ways! Whether you were family or friend, if you had any vehicle or home related matter, you could always call him, whether it be for advice, repairs, or even looking for a new home or vehicle, everyone would call him! Often he’d repair cars and when you’d discuss paying him he’d say “oh you can’t afford me” and charge for parts only or no payment at all. He also enjoyed playing his accordion, doing home improvement projects and landscaping and riding around on his zero turn mower and his golf carts. He also loved going to auctions! Whether they be car auctions, property auctions or miscellaneous, he would always go to them and say on his way out the door “I’m gonna go see if I can find something I can’t live without” Larry also loved model trains, a love he started in and shared with his grandson (more like son) Tony and together they had multi-scale layouts but mostly bonded over Lionel O gauge, together they went on many locomotive and train rides and countless model train shows! Tony always lovingly called him “Babbo” which means dad/daddy in Italian, as well as them calling each other hoggy or piggy and getting each other little pig related gifts. 

Larry was also a life long avid golfer and any nice weather day you could almost always find him on the golf course. He won many hole-in-one trophies, but there were also the times he didn’t have a good game and clubs and hats were thrown including one time when a club was wrapped around a tree but he always went back at it. One of his favorite pastimes was watching his westerns (usually really loud) while enjoying his popcorn, cheez-its, or chips. He was an ornery soul who would get on a roll once he got you laughing and would sometimes be brought to tears himself laughing so hard over the ornery stuff he did! He will forever be dearly loved and very truly missed! Along with his parents, Larry was proceeded in death by his wife of 38 years Ruth A. Amato, brothers and sisters in law, Albert & Wanda Amato, Carmel & Marialyce Amato, Frank Amato, And Sister and brother-in-law Virginia & Frank Davis, Nieces Amy & Carly Amato, Erica Amato, and Leann Amato and nephew John Amato. He is survived by his daughter Jenni (Richard) Sirgo, grandson Tony (Becky) Amato,, Partner Paula Ohira, step daughter Karen (Robert) and step granddaughters Keira & Kailyn, Sister-in-law Dottie Amato and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends!

Per Larry’s wishes there will be no viewing. A Memorial service will be announced at a later date. 

Arraignments have been entrusted to Price-McElroy funeral home in Kenton, Ohio. 

Tony Amato wants to send a Special thanks to his “work family” at Families First Cremation and Funeral at Edwards for assisting him with and allowing him to post this obituary.