It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Larry Wayne Belle: husband, parent, grandparent, teacher, baseball player and coach. He succumbed to lymphoma on October 10, 2023.
Born on March 29, 1944, he spent his early years with his family in a logging camp near Port Alberni. Here he nurtured his passion for the outdoors that would guide him throughout his life.
While playing baseball at Western Washington State College, he met the love of his life, Imi, who lived in Vancouver. After getting married on October 7, 1967, they moved to Burns Lake to start his teaching career. In 1975, they moved to Powell River, where he continued teaching and inspiring many in the community to be the best they could be. As a family we all learned how to catch and lose fish, how to tell even bigger fish stories, and how to respect everything nature brings us. We will hold onto the amazing memories as a family spending time fishing at Nootka Sound and dad’s famous saying: “Roger get the dodger, there’s herring in the bay.”
As a teacher and counsellor for over 30 years, he nurtured the potential of his students, leaving a lasting mark on the education community.
Larry is survived by his wife Imi; sister Diane (Larry); son Ryan (Mandie); daughter Rae-dene (Ed); and four grandsons Luke, Owen, Grant and Henry. He will be greatly missed by his family members, friends and students whose lives are forever made better by his presence. Although he may no longer be with us, his teachings, passion for baseball and nature will continue to remind us of the good times and love of life he greatly enjoyed.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Sunday, November 12, from 1 to 3 pm at 4264 Bowness Avenue, Powell River. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Four Tides Hospice Society at fourtideshospice.org/make-a-donation.
