Gill, MA – Larry Poirier had his final fishing day on June 3rd. Always one to follow his own path, he died doing one of the things he truly enjoyed. He was born on March 7, 1952, to Dorothy and Norman Poirier.
A “Renaissance Man,” he had a passion for many things and enjoyed sharing them with others. Larry was an avid fly fisherman and a member of Deerfield River Trout Unlimited. Music was a constant presence in his life, especially jazz or anything by Frank Zappa. He was a devoted soccer coach at Gill Recreation, Recorder Soccer, and six area high schools for over 30 years.
Larry was an immensely kind and caring man. His creative side was evident in his cooking and tying fishing flies. Larry loved nature and cared for the environment, such as releasing almost every fish he caught. He held many jobs over the years including teacher, youth employment counselor, and fishway guide. His family often joked with him that there wasn’t a job he didn’t have! No matter what life dealt him, Larry was, as a former boss said, “unflappable.” While showing emotion did not come easily to him; cooking was his love language for family and friends.
He leaves behind his loving wife of over 50 years, Denise Petrin; his daughter, Megan Campbell, and her husband, Chris; his son, Justin Poirier, and his wife, Jenna Novotny Schmidt; his siblings, Pamela Clark, Dorothy Poirier, and Charles Poirier; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. A wake will be held Tuesday, June 9th, from 5-7 p.m. at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Greenfield. A Celebration of Life will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Franklin Land Trust. In honor of Larry, share a passion you have with others.
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