Lawrence Koonz

Lawrence V. “Larry” Koonz

Naugatuck, CT Lawrence Viekko “Larry” Koonz, 54, left this life unexpectedly on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Larry was born on August 14, 1969, in Waterbury, CT, the youngest of the seven children of Frances L. (Frazier) Crable and the late Richard E. Koonz, Sr. He spent his childhood in Naugatuck except for a brief period in Pennsylvania and attended Naugatuck High School. He trained as an HVAC technician and spent a number of years employed by Climate Partners of Milford, CT, before opening his own HVAC business, Built-Rite Heating & Cooling, LLC, which he ran for the remainder of his life. He was a dedicated technician and was known to answer calls any time of the day or week, leaving a legacy of caring, professional service among his clients.

But Larry was best known by all as one who grabbed life with both hands, enjoying numerous hobbies, including motocross, where he was a prize-winning participant, whitewater rafting, adventure courses, and any other activity where he could challenge himself to perform at the highest level. He was also a world-class foodie, well-known to restaurateurs both local and state-wide and who often showed up at family gatherings with trays of the most wonderfully crafted dishes from his latest favorite eatery. Anyone who knew him suffered cheerfully (usually!) from his puckish humor and love of playing jokes. He lived life to the full, intent on squeezing every drop of excitement from it.

Larry left many to cherish his memory. Besides his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Lauren Koonz and her partner, Alex Segundo, and a long list of siblings: Althea (Lee) Hayes and her husband Michael; Darlene F. Knox and her partner Douglas Jackson; Debbie L. Koonz; Diane F. Hollister; Richard E. Koonz, Jr.; Doreen L. Jensen and her husband Robert; Victor L. VanGrowski, Jr, and his wife Diann; Patricia “Patty” Smith; Arlene A. VanGrowski; and Joyce C. Cross. In addition, he leaves his grandson, Alexander Anthony Segundo, numerous nephews and nieces, and friends all over the state of Connecticut. He was pre-deceased by his father, Richard E. Koonz, Sr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Everyone attending Mass is kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family and there are no calling hours. A Celebration of Larry’s Life is planned for later in the Spring of 2024; details will be announced closer to the date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Larry’s name to Bikes for Kids Wheelhouse, P.O. Box 94, Centerbrook, CT 06409.