Larry Dwayne Gabbard

After a short but valiant battle with cancer, Larry D. Gabbard, of Norwalk, CT, died peacefully at home on Sunday, April 25, 2021 surrounded by loving family, friends, and his very devoted dogs Louis, Edie, and Sheldon.

Born in Lawrenceburg, IN on February 8, 1971, Larry was a devoted and loving husband, son, and brother. He is survived by his adoring husband and soulmate, Tony Bellomy; his parents, Lynn L. Holtegel (Rozin) of Cincinnati, OH and Larry W. Gabbard of Aurora, IN; his four sisters, Amy Schibi (Richard) of Cincinnati, OH, Kim Piché (Chad) of Aurora, IN, Goldyelynn Clark of Pensacola, FL, and Kim Carr of Sunman, IN; his beloved niece, Lyndsay Piché; and a host of extended family members and very close friends who feel like family.

Larry graduated from Indiana University in 1993 with a degree in English and Telecommunications. After a few years in Chicago, he relocated to New York City and worked in the corporate sector before returning to school seeking a new path. Accepted into the New York Teaching Fellows program, he received a Masters of Education degree at Lehman College and began a rewarding career with the New York City Department of Education. He first taught 6 ^th grade, then became an Assistant Principal after receiving another master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College. In 2011, Larry created and became the founding Principal of the Stephen T. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School in partnership with the National Park Service. He was deservedly very proud of Mather H.S. and the culture he created there to put every student first and to prepare his students to be able not only to function later in life, but to flourish. Utterly dedicated to the mission and culture of Mather, he will be truly missed by his students, teachers, and staff.

Newly married in 2012, Larry and Tony moved from New York City to Connecticut to make their home. Being a person who cannot abide idle time(!), Larry got involved in community theater and in recent years acted, sang, and directed in many productions, including at Curtain Call in Stamford, CT, Town Players of New Canaan, Antrim Playhouse in Suffern, NY, and Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack, NY, where he also served on the Board of Directors.

Larry and Tony loved to travel (especially road trips!), work in the garden at home, and loved to end a day on the couch together with the dogs and the latest Netflix binge.

Larry had a unique ability to inspire the people around him to be the best they could be in a given moment, and then to push them to be even better in the next moment. Never settle, and never stop loving. This is Larry Gabbard in six words.

There will be a public visitation at the Raymond Funeral Home located at 5 East Wall Street in Norwalk, CT on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with a short program at 3:30 PM. Please dress for Larry, not for a funeral.

The program will be live-streamed starting at 3:25 PM, please follow the link below to virtually attend: https://www.facebook.com/RaymondFuneralHomeinHistoricNorwalk/

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Larry’s name to either Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack, NY, or Curtain Call, Inc. in Stamford, CT. There will also be a scholarship fund instituted in Larry’s honor at Mather High School. Please email donations@matherhsnyc.org if you are interested in contributing to that fund in Larry’s name.