Bro. Larry LaCross, OFM Cap., was born on June 13, 1949, in Alpena, Michigan, to Theodore Leo LaCross and Genevieve Helen Kotwicki. He grew up in a large and loving family with five sisters — Shirley, Margaret, Geraldine, Patricia, and Mary Katherine — and four brothers — Terry, Robert, Richard, and Thomas.
From a young age, Bro. Larry felt a deep calling to serve others, particularly the elderly in his neighborhood. This early sense of ministry made his decision to enter religious life a natural one. At 18, he joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order, entering as a candidate at Sacred Heart Friary in Baraga, Michigan. He was invested on April 30, 1968. In his application to the Capuchins, he wrote, “I think their line of work would be most pleasing to me, and I know I would be happy doing my work with the Capuchin Brothers.”
Bro. Larry professed his first vows on May 3, 1969, beginning his post-novitiate formation at St. Mary Friary in Crown Point, Indiana. He continued his formation at St. Francis Friary in Milwaukee, where he served as a cook after making his perpetual profession of vows on September 7, 1973.
In 1974, Bro. Larry moved to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, which became the heart of his life and ministry for decades. He served as receptionist and porter before taking on financial responsibilities as the monastery’s business manager and “block bookkeeper.” From 1974 to 1978, he co-directed the Seminary Guild, helping to support Capuchin vocations.
His ministry briefly took him abroad in 1980 when he joined a parish ministry team at Guardian Angels Parish in Wynnum, Australia. However, feeling the pull of home, he returned to Detroit after one year and resumed his service.
After his return from parish ministry in Australia, Bro. Larry started working for the Archdiocese of Detroit, first in residence at St. Boniface Parish and later at St. Bonaventure Monastery. Larry would serve the Archdiocese of Detroit through the 1980s as Accountant, later as Director of Purchasing, and finally as Director of Publishing, all while remaining the Business Manager for St. Bonaventure Monastery.
In 1987, he took on a new role as Mission Director for the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, also overseeing the Development Office and Public Relations. He moved to Hazel Park, Michigan, where he joined the St. Mary Magdalen Community.
In 1998, Bro. Larry was appointed Guardian of St. Bonaventure Monastery, a role he held for 13 years. During his time as Guardian, he was a driving force in renovating the monastery and integrating elder care within the friary. He ensured the monastery could provide a welcoming and supportive home for aging friars.
After his tenure as Guardian, Bro. Larry continued serving the province as Mission Secretary and Director of Development. Yet in 2015, he was once again called to serve as Guardian of St. Bonaventure Monastery. In this final chapter of his ministry, he remained dedicated to the care of elderly friars, ensuring the monastery remained a place where friars could spend their final days.
Beyond his leadership roles, Bro. Larry was known for his deep love of cooking and baking, a gift he used to serve his brothers throughout his life. After many years as Guardian, he embraced a new role as Kitchen Manager of St. Bonaventure Monastery, continuing to nourish the friars inspired by American chefs like Alice Waters or Julia Child with quotes as, “Everything tastes better with butter” or “With enough butter, anything is good.”
In 2024, while preparing a meal one weekend, Bro. Larry mentioned that he was feeling unwell and needed to visit urgent care. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with cancer. With the support of the monastery’s care staff and his legendary willpower, he faced his illness with courage. In February 2025, as his condition worsened, he was admitted to the hospital for specialized care. Soon after, he returned home to St. Bonaventure Monastery, where he accepted Sister Death with reluctant surrender, surrounded by his Capuchin brothers.
Bro. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Leo and Genevieve Helen (Kotwicki) LaCross, and his siblings Geraldine LeFave and Terry LaCross. He is survived by his siblings Shirley (Tom) Kendziorski, Margaret LaCross, Bob (Sue) LaCross, Rick (Linda) LaCross, Patricia (Patrick) Skiba, Tom (Mary Ann) LaCross, Mary (Jeff) Moody; brother-in-law, James LeFave; sister-in-law, Carol LaCross and his Capuchin brothers, with whom he lived, prayed, and ministered for over five decades.
A funeral Mass for Bro. Larry was celebrated Friday, March 7, at All Saints Parish in Alpena. Burial is in St. Bonaventure Monastery Cemetery.
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