Larry J. Lane

On February 10, 2026, surrounded by his favorite girls, of Cape May. Age 80. Beloved husband of Theresa (nee Cocchi). Devoted father of Alicia A. Deamer (James) and the late Olivia P.  Johnson (Brian). Loving grandfather of Peyton, James, Annalise, Jimmy, and Livianna. Dear brother of Jerry Lane.

Larry was from Denver Colorado where he met the love of his life, his wife Theresa Cocchi. He always joked that he could not resist her proposal because it was love at first sight. Soon after the two welcomed their two daughter Olivia and Alicia and decided to move to New Jersey since Larry wanted the girls to be closer to family.

Larry is an Army Veteran who was sent to Korea. Once there he was chosen to be a K-9 handler. This experience greatly impacted Larrys life. He would often speak of Shep “the dog who saved my life.” With tear filled prideful eyes. This was an easy assignment for Larry though since his father was a Zoo Keeper at the Denver zoo and Larry was lucky enough to encounter different animals growing up. When Larry would tell stories about his elephant, his bear cubs, or the hawk he had trained, he would captivate any audience. His experiences were so extraordinary. His whole life was saving animals, training dogs, his love for springers, and even having a squirrel named rocky come to his front porch in Cape May and ask for nuts. This is how he earned the nickname Saint Francis.

Larry retired from New Jersey transit where he worked so hard and met some incredible people. Because of Larrys caring and kind nature, he made some wonderful friends there. Some of his passengers are still dear friends to this day. We also must mention his work at Dairy Queen in Colorado earning hi the Nickname DQ.

Larry was such a kind gentle soul. He was the most genuine person you would ever meet. Even up to his last hours we would have nurses coming to us saying that they, “just loved him so much.” He never complained and was always everyone’s peace. Always looking after “his girls” and being their support. This is where he earned the nickname Saint Larry- often being told, “You’re a Saint Larry Lane.”

There wasn’t anything Larry couldn’t fix. You could give him a broken down car, a flashlight and some duck tape and somehow he would get that engine started. Even the grandkids would tell their parents, “Its okay Pop will fix it.” This is where he earned the nickname MacGyver. One of Alicias favorite memories is holding the flashlight oven the open hood of a VW buggy, CJ7, or Chevy Impala. Even though our oil was changed before we knew it needed to be, he always made sure we knew how to do it. There wasn’t anything he fixed without explaining how to do it so we were always prepared to do it ourselves if need be.

Larry had a love for Bluegrass. After retirement he would love to light a cigar pull out sheets of music and pluck away. Always telling us that he couldn’t play a song. He was an amazing and humble artist and left us with some beautiful pictures to remember him by. He was so talented with anything that require hand eye coordination. Larry even joined a pool league where he met a ton of great friends. Of all the things he loved, nothing beat putting his feet up and having a hot cup of coffee on his front porch in Cape May. Larry loved to sit and “watch the world go by”. He worked so hard to give the girls that little piece of paradise and it was so nice to watch him enjoy it. He made so many great friends and just about every 20 minutes someone would walk by and wave to Larry.

Larry’s life revolved around his girls. Larry was so in love with his wife Theresa. His love was the epitome of the “look of love” everytime he looked into her eyes. He would have handed her the world if he could have but he did a pretty good job at it anyway. Larry decided to convert to catholic so that he could give Theresa the church wedding she always wanted. The renewed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary. That day he looked at her like it was the first time he ever laid eyes on her. Everyone could tell that every vow he spoke came straight from his heart and showed his daughters what true love really meant.

Soon after marrying Theresa they welcomed their first daughter Olivia Paula. She was a true daddys girl! Olivia was Larrys everything. She was his princess. Olivia could put the biggest, brightest smile on his face, and make him laugh harder then anyone. She brought out his softest side and he could never tell her “no”. He was her biggest cheerleader and he was her hero.

Three years later Alicia was born and quickly made Larry realize it was the closest he was getting to a son. He spent a lot of time teaching her cars , sports, and even taking her for her hunting license at 9 years old, soon after he realized his girls turned him too soft to actually hunt and they bonded over many different shooting clubs instead. Which in turn made Larry laugh when Alicia won all the skeet shooting contest in Mexico years later. With all that being said he never forgot to tell her how beautiful she was and always remind her that she will always be his little girl.

Larry had 5 grandchildren that turned his retirement into both joy and chaos. Peyton, James, Annalise, Jimmy, and Livianna all of such a different connection and relationship with Larry and that truly speaks to the type of man he is. He could truly relate to anyone.

Larry also loved his nieces and nephew like his own. He loved to re connect with Doug and Marty through social media and was so proud of who they had become. He got to reconnect with his brother Jerry and wife Judy who lived in Utah. Larry treated Bo, Lisa and Melissa like they were his own. He loved watching them grow up and was so thankful we are all so close. He knew he made the right decision moving to New Jersey everytime he would see us together.

Larry will be missed from sky high Colorado, to Casper Wyoming, and all the way back to Jersey.

To know Larry was to love Larry. May you all be blessed with a Larry in your life.

Family and friends are welcome to attend his visitation Tuesday, February 17^th 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM at SS. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, 362 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry’s memory may be made to Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”