Alan J. Larrivee

Alan J. Larrivee, 70, a longtime Worcester resident, devoted husband, father, and grandfather passed away surrounded by his family Thursday, February 1^st, 2024. 

Alan, “Al” to his friends, is remembered for his bone-dry sense of humor and wit, his endless curiosity, and an encyclopedic memory of music history, baseball facts, woodworking techniques, and more. A thoughtful and sensitive person, Alan gave generously of his time and knowledge to friends and strangers alike. 

 Alan was born in Whitinsville, the son of Kenneth and Rita (Carlucci) Larrivee. Raised in Grafton, Alan graduated from Holy Name Central Catholic High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Worcester State College, where he met the love of his life Linda S. Cohen. They married in 1976 and had two children. For a decade, he and his family lived in the Midwest, in Lawrence, KS, and Columbia, MO before returning to Worcester in 2000 with Al’s New England accent perfectly intact. Alan worked in graphic design his entire life, transitioning from the analog to digital world ahead of many in his field. He was at home working in publishing, most recently for Bayard Publications before retiring.

 Yet Alan was never simply defined by what he did “for a living.” He was a polymath, with a long list of interests and hobbies. He was a proud descendent of generations of carpenters and used heirloom tools to build exquisite furniture and boxes in his free time. After retirement, Alan channeled his love of baseball into his work as a ticket agent for the WooSox, beginning when Polar Park opened in May 2021. He shared his excellent and eclectic taste in music and film with his family and friends and had a keen eye for art: he loved Marx Brothers movies, surrealist paintings, punk and new wave music, and more. Alan was a collector of experiences and over the decades visited countries in five continents, most recently Morocco. He attended games at 31 major league baseball parks in North America (including Montreal) with his son, and on road trips pointed out different license plates, eventually checking off all 50 states (Delaware was the last). He went to countless concerts with friends and family at the Palladium and Ralph’s in Worcester, and the Rat, Middle East, and T.T. the Bear’s in Boston.

 Always passionate about creating a better future, Alan found many ways to volunteer his time, body, and resources to a range of causes. He drove for Rachel’s Table for many years, took part in the Pfizer COVID vaccine study in the fall of 2020, served as an election worker, and as a commissioner on boards for the City of Worcester. He cared for his parents in their final years and drove his mother-in-law to appointments and book club meetings for as long as he was able. Alan was generous, open-minded and a man of faith, a member of Our Lady of Providence Parish. He believed in the power of science and higher education. Together with his wife he established the Cohen-Larrivee Family Scholarship at Worcester State University, supporting students interested in working with those affected by neurodegenerative conditions, and helped to endow other scholarships. In the past year, he took part in multiple clinical studies related to ALS, and proudly to arranged to donate his brain and spinal cord to Mass General Brigham for research into the causes and treatment of ALS.

 Alan is survived by his beloved Linda; two children he was so proud of and loved dearly, Shaina D. Larrivee and her husband Milton Ladd of Brooklyn, NY, and Benjamin A. Larrivee of Worcester; a grandson that he adored, Oren Larrivee Ladd; a brother, Gordan Larrivee of Douglas; a sister, Donna Larrivee Cohen and her husband Dean of Warwick; a brother in-law Michael Cohen of Southbridge and his wife Carol; and a sister-in-law Shari O’Connor of Worcester and her husband Chris; nieces, nephews, extended family, and good friends. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Wayne Larrivee.  

 A period of calling hours will be held Friday, February 9^th from 9 am to 10:30 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. followed by a procession to St Bernard’s Church, 228 Lincoln St where his celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 11:00 am. Entombment will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in his name can be made to: Compassionate Care ALS: https://ccals.org/donate/?donateto=14338, End the Legacy: https://givebutter.com/EndTheLegacy
Cohen-Larrivee Family Scholarship: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/140/dg21/iterative.aspx?sid=140&gid=1&pgid=1697&cid=3325