Lawrence “Larry” Frederick Brynn, 74, of Vashon, Washington, passed away on September 3rd, 2024, after a long and challenging battle with dementia. His family managed his care until the very end. He went peacefully, at home, in the house he built for his family 45 years earlier.

Larry was born December 17, 1949 in Montpelier, Vermont, to Mary (Callahan) and Walter Brynn. He was the fifth of six siblings. When he was 12 years old, the family jumped into their station wagon and drove across the country to their new home in Los Gatos, California.

Larry graduated from Los Gatos High School and then attended Seattle University and University of California, Berkeley. He had a love for learning and was a free spirit. Larry went off to travel all over Europe on a motorcycle. He later traveled around the Middle East. He was adventurous and rebellious, and it resulted in some very dangerous and exciting experiences.

After putting himself in many precarious situations, he returned to the United States. He then joined the Peace Corps and volunteered in the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso. After contracting malaria, Larry came home to the U.S. to recover. Not long after, he met Heather and started a family.

Larry and Heather met after Larry purchased a rigging truck from Boatland in Bellevue, where Heather was the office manager. After spending months looking for property east of Bellevue, Larry and Heather came to Vashon, were on Island for about an hour, looked at one piece of property, and purchased it. They moved to Vashon in 1978 and were married the next year, on September 22. Larry built the home where they raised their four children. Larry’s greatest dream was to provide a place that felt safe and comfortable for his kids, a home they would want to return to. His grandchildren are now living and making their own memories there.

Larry was a carpenter and known for his strong work ethic and skill. He went above and beyond with quality and care. His craftsmanship is displayed in many Vashon homes and commercial buildings. In addition to building on Vashon, Larry worked in Hawaii for the HCEOC, supporting native Hawaiians in building their own homes.

Larry was extremely active and athletic. He could be found running or riding his bike around Vashon. He coached his son’s baseball teams every year, starting with t-ball through a tournament team in middle school. He enjoyed the outdoors, so much so that he would do extreme things to get there. In high school, Larry bought a car and hid it from his parents. The car was stuffed with surf boards and parked at his friend’s house so they could skip school to go surfing. If the weather was decent, Larry was out enjoying it.

An avid reader, Larry often read multiple books at a time. He read National Geographic magazines cover to cover and would reference them later. This resulted in an expansive National Geographic collection he would not part with. He enjoyed discussing and recommending the books he read. Larry was an accomplished writer and storyteller. He was often writing in a journal, and had started writing a memoir of his time in the Peace Corps. Though his body and brain weren’t able to do many things near the end of his life, his love for other cultures and nature still remained strong. He enjoyed watching documentaries and could relate them to his travels from earlier years.

He loved music, big bonfires, and watching the sunset at Lisabeula Beach. Larry didn’t need much to make him happy. He had a keen sense of humor, and loved a good laugh. Larry never cared about material things, and remained virtually unplugged his entire life. He never owned a cell phone and enjoyed the freedom of not being readily available. Because of this, he was able to be completely present in the moment. He observed nature with great admiration and appreciation. Larry could often be found sitting on the front porch in total silence, gazing out at the yard.

Larry was a fierce supporter of his children and their dreams. He accepted their individuality and encouraged their goals, no matter how unconventional. Larry urged his children to always trust their gut and use creative problem solving when addressing challenges.

Larry is survived by his wife Heather; his children, Colin (Julia) Brynn, Melissa Brynn, Kelly (Stuart) Fox, and Rachael Brynn; his grandchildren, Oli Brynn, Meara Fox, Samara Brynn, and Sylvie Brynn; and his siblings Edward Brynn, Kathy (Charlie) Walther, Thomas Brynn, Maryanne (Terry) O’Brien, David Brynn, Louise Brynn, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Larry in death are his parents, Walter and Mary Brynn, and his sister in-laws, Claudia Brynn and Jane Brynn.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vashon Care Network and Vashon Island Fire and Rescue.

December 17, 1949 – September 3, 2024