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Lawrence P. "Larry" Tracey Jr., 77, of Somers, formerly of Enfield, beloved husband of Michele (Alexis) Tracey for 56 years, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, Saturday Nov. 5, 2022.
Larry was born in Norwich, CT and was the son of the late Lawrence P. and Juliette (Gauvin) Tracey. Larry grew up in East Hartford, CT with his parents, and his brother Wayne, While in high school, Larry met Michele. After graduating from East Hartford High School, he attended the University of Hartford. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and attended the US Naval Justice School. Larry always put family first. He was an amazing husband and dad to Michele and their three daughters, sharing his love of sports with them, spending summer vacations at the beach and supporting all their activities.
Larry began his career in Insurance with the Travelers Insurance Co. as a Claims Adjuster, and later was employed by the Glastonbury Insurance Agency. In 1976, Larry opened the Tracey Insurance Agency in Enfield and successfully operated his business in the Enfield community for more than 30 years before retiring and selling the business to Burns, Brooks & McNeil Insurance.
He became the Executive Director of the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce in 2002, retiring in 2011. He served as an executive board member for the NCCCC and was also Past President. A culmination of over 30 years with the NCCCC, Larry was instrumental in organizing many successful Chamber events including the annual golf tournament, Breakfast Connections, and Business After Hours.
As a Rotarian, Larry proudly served in many roles in the Enfield Rotary Club including past president, and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was one of the founders of the Enfield Rotary Classic, which supported girls' basketball at both Enfield High School and Fermi High School. The tournament was a huge success for 26 years raising thousands of dollars in keeping the basketball programs prolific.
When Larry wasn't doing anything involving sports, he was doing sports. His devotion was apparent as a member of the East Hartford High School football team and through his involvement as a high school and college football and basketball official. As a member of the EAIFO and CCAFO, he officiated in the Big East and A10 conferences and served as president of the Central Connecticut Association of Football Officials. He was inducted into the CCAFO Hall of Fame in 2008. Additionally, he was bestowed the George Daly Jr. Special Recognition Award by the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. He retired following an on-field injury in 1994 and became an off-field official as an electronic clock operator for UCONN football games at Rentschler Field.
Besides his wife Michele, Larry is survived by his three daughters, Theresa Solesky and her husband David of Ft. Pierce, FL, Andrea Gately and her husband Stephen of Bedford, NH, Melissa Egan and her husband Timothy of Somers. Larry’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, Chase Solesky, Patrick and Christopher Gately, and Olivia and Isabella Egan. He spent many hours watching his grandchildren play sports as their biggest fan and listening to them sing. He also leaves a brother, Wayne C. Tracey of Newington, his sister-in-law Constance Houde and her husband Robert of West Hartford, several nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
Visitation hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 17, 2022 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. To celebrate Larry’s love of sports, his family requests that family and friends attending the wake, wear sports attire to celebrate Larry’s life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18th at St. Bernard Church, 426 Hazard Ave., Enfield (Please meet at Church). Committal, with military honors, will follow at the MA Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.
Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to the Enfield Rotary Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1, Enfield, CT 06083 and to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd S #4b, Southington, CT 06489. To leave online condolences please visit www.leetestevens.com.