Lawrence Walker Joyce (known as Larry, Big Lar, Lorenzo, Rugman, and Piesor Quelle), 77,died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on September 10, 2026, after complications from a long illness.
Born on May 9, 1949, son of the late Rosemary and John “Jack” Joyce, the longtime Oak Parker attended Ascension Catholic Elementary School and OPRF High School, graduating in 1967. He put himself through Morton Jr. College and University of Illinois Chicago, earning a BA degree in Sociology, all while working for Illinois Bell as a janitor, eventually becoming a corporate buyer.
Along the way, a blind date that turned out to be high school acquaintance Joan McFarlane led to marriage in 1972, a baby boy in 1973 and twins in 1977. In 1981 he bought his childhood home from his parents and began renovating the historic 1908 Oak Park house. He attended Second City, graduating in 1985, and dabbled in stand-up comedy.
In 1991, Joan died from Lupus. In 1993, after a 27-year career, he was laid off from Ameritech (formerly Illinois Bell). Freed from corporate drudgery, he dabbled in creative ventures, including short story fiction, pen and ink drawing, and cartooning.
In 1996 he married Kathy Math and the two later divorced. In 2003 he began working in maintenance at Oak Park’s Mills Park Tower, becoming the on-site resident manager. There he self-published a humorous advice column, “Aunt Fortuna” and the comic strip “Maintenance Mayhem,” showcasing workplace follies.
He was a longtime player on the Clockwork softball team, a lifelong White Sox fan and unofficial ambassador for the claymation character Gumby. He distributed countless figurines over the years and carried in his heart Gumby’s core message: to be flexible in creativity and curiosity. Creator Art Clokey stated, “Gumby represents the inherent goodness in all of us,” something Larry strived to see in those he met.
He is survived by his children, Tim (Brett Uram), Emily (Liz Shefchuk), Chris (Filippo Impieri); his siblings, Rosellen (Lou) Ryczek, Terry (Kay Campbell) Joyce, Mary Jane (Brian) Joyce-Byrne, Carol (the late Mike) Egan, and Denise (George) Belland; many nieces and nephews and a multitude of lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joan (née McFarlane), and his brother, John “Patrick” Jr. (Jan) Joyce.
A belated celebration of life is planned for April 24, 2027 at FitzGerald’s at 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.