Larry Richard Sweeney

Larry was born to Anne Donnelly and Dr. Lawrence Sweeney at old St. Vincent's hospital in Portland, OR. He died of congestive heart failure at his home in Milwaukie, OR, surrounded by family and friends.



He attended St. John's grade school in Milwaukie, OR, and Central Catholic High School. Graduating from Notre Dame University in 1966, going on to get a PhD in Philosophy from St. Louis University.



He married Carmelita "Carmy" Steiner on his 26th birthday, June 7, 1969. They had two children, Sean (married Sherry Mitchem) and Kiersten (married Sean Smith). The family recently celebrated Larry's 80th birthday and 54th wedding anniversary (in absentia).



Larry was truly a renaissance man with hobbies, skills, and interests in multiple areas; music (12 years of piano and taught himself guitar), woodworking, construction, photography, cooking, fishing, fly-tying, philosophy, theology, and history.



He ran a construction company for 25 years, retiring when physical constraints caused multiple joint replacements. He taught philosophy part-time at the University of St. Louis, Clark College, at the tag program at Portland Public Schools and Washington State University.



He enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends, teaching fly-fishing and fly-tying to anyone interested. He loved jamming with fellow musicians, providing music and songs at our sing-alongs. He explored gourmet cooking styles with particular interest in classic Chinese.



As a part of a photography class, he built a dark room at home and developed his own pictures. He loved designing, constructing fine jewelry boxes and unique pieces of furniture. Always reading, he loved discussing philosophical ideas and debating controversial topics.



He was a family man, really enjoying his children and grandchildren. Taking time to be there for them and traveling the world with his wife. If anyone needed a tool or help with construction, Larry was very generous with equipment, advice and always willing to lend a hand...and a very generous gift giver.



Larry is survived by his wife, Carmy; children, Sean, and Kiersten; grandchildren, Serena Sweeney, Seth Sweeney, Holden Smith, and Gavin Smith; older sisters, Sharon Rhodes, and Linda O'Donohoe and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Henry O'Donohoe, Anthony and Kerby Steiner.