Larry Triepke

Cheshire - Larry Leroy Triepke, 77, passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021, at St. Francis Hospital. He was the husband of Eileen (Moore) Triepke.

Larry was born on August 17, 1944, in Marion, North Dakota, the son of the late Richard and Arla (Eilts) Triepke. He was raised in North Dakota. Following graduation from LaMoure High School, Larry joined the U.S. Navy, proudly served his country as a 2nd Class Petty Officer and Aviation Electronics Fighter Control Technician on both the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and the USS Forrestal (CV-59) from 1963 - 1967. Larry moved to Hamden, Connecticut following honorable discharge from the Navy. Later that same year he met his wife, Eileen, at an Irish dance in New York City. It was love at first sight and they were married 2 years later. In 1971 they had their first child and moved to Cheshire CT to raise their family. Larry started his career with IBM as a Service Technician and continued to work for IBM until his retirement 42 years later. During many of his years with IBM, Larry also held a second job working at Sears to help provide a better life for his growing family which then included a wife and three children.

After retirement, Larry placed an even greater focus on his family. Being a devoted husband to his wife Eileen, was his utmost priority. The two could be seen holding hands and sharing affection wherever they went. When Larry was not doting on his beloved bride, he could be found spending time with his children and grandchildren, creating lasting and enduring memories.
Larry was rarely seen sitting still; he was one of the hardest workers one could ever meet. A talented painter and carpenter, Larry often completed his own renovation projects, and helped many friends and several customers with their own home improvement projects. Larry was befitting of the title, “Jack-of-all-trades” and he was the master of several. He could fix anything that was broken, and was also known for never being without a trusty pocket knife on hand. He loved to help his children and grandchildren build things, and found great satisfaction from teaching them whenever he was given the opportunity. He also enjoyed cutting, splitting and neatly stacking firewood in his woodshed, always preparing for the worst that a New England winter might bring.

When not working in his career, completing side jobs, or spending time with his family, he spent any free time he had on his personal passions. Larry had a green thumb, and enjoyed planting and caring for his incredible vegetable and flower gardens. He always had a bountiful harvest, which he naturally shared with family and friends. In addition to woodworking and gardening, Larry was also an avid stamp and coin collector, but his favorite hobby over the last several years was wood turning, shaping logs, and unique pieces of wood into beautiful, original pieces of art. Whether turning a bowl, a platter or a pen, Larry found much peace and fulfilment in his woodshop.

When it came to woodworking, Larry could create most anything. He enjoyed surprising members of the family with handcrafted gifts. Whether a baby bassinet, a rocking horse, child-sized tables and chairs, toy chests, platters, bowls, ornate pens and pencils or just about anything you could think of, each gift was handcrafted with attention to details and with a lot of love for the fortunate recipients. Larry found peace through craftsmanship of original creations, and giving things he made to others brought him great fulfillment and joy. Larry will be remembered as the caring, patient, compassionate man, who was adored by all who knew him. There has never been a gentler or kinder man than Larry L. Triepke and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Along with his wife of 52 years, Larry is survived by his children Danny Triepke, and wife Jennifer, daughter Denise LePage and husband Steve, son Jeffrey Triepke and his partner Elena. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren; Alyson, Kyra, Gabriella, Brandon, Mikaela, Kyleigh, and Carlie; and his sister Vicki and husband Jim Robideau and their family.

Arrangements – Visitation for Mr. Triepke will be held on Sunday from 5 to 8 pm at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. His funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Monday morning at 10:30 and proceed to St. Bridget of Sweden Parish-St. Bridget Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.