Lawrence R. Sundberg, age 86, passed away in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday. April 15, 2020. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on June 14, 1933, he was the son of the late August Ruben and Xenia V. (Johnson) Sundberg. He was raised in Walpole, Massachusetts, where as a young boy, he took his first job delivering the Walpole Times. While attending Walpole High School, Larry was a member of the Glee Club, football and basketball teams. Following his graduation in 1951, he took a position with the Plimpton Press in Norwood. In January of 1952, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force, proudly serving his country during the Korean War. He served as a Senior Ground Radio Operator, stationed in Korea, earning the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. In addition to his military training and position, Larry was a member of the Air Force Baseball League. He was honorably discharged in January of 1956, after earning the rank of Airman First Class. Upon his return home to Massachusetts, he went back to his position at the Plimpton Press and earned his bachelor’s degree by taking night classes at Northeastern University.
Larry married his beloved wife, Ruth H. Carlson, on August 25, 1956. Together they made their home in Norwood, while Larry started construction on their home on Rustic Road in East Walpole. Working alongside his father, they built the home over the course of two years, completing construction in 1962, allowing Larry and Ruth to move in. Larry continued his career in the printing business, working in sales and marketing for various companies before his retirement in 2003. Following his retirement, he quickly found a job at the Home Depot in Norwood, working for an additional ten years, providing sound advice to all his customers.
Larry’s faith was incredibly important to him throughout his life and he was a lifelong member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood. His church led him to Camp Calumet Lutheran in New Hampshire, where he served on the Board of Directors for several years and held the position of treasurer. Back at home, Larry enjoyed singing with several choirs, including the Neponset Choral Society. He enjoyed traveling around the area with the Heralds, a quartette that specialized in bringing cheer to patients in the hospitals or nursing homes. After selling his home on Rustic Road, he and Ruth settled into their new home at Royal Crest in Walpole, where Larry loved spending countless hours on the golf course. Most of all, Larry loved being a family man, taking any opportunity that he could to surround himself with those people that he loved so much.
Beloved husband of Ruth H. (Carlson) Sundberg.
Loving father of Karen Swan and her husband, David, of Walpole and Gail H. Lamothe and her husband, Mark, of Freedom, NH.
Cherished grandfather of Rebecca L. Ciampa and Tom of Norwood, Kristen A. Tummeltshammer and Clemens of Foxborough, Andrew T. Wolff and Kayla of Norton, Willem Swan and Laurie of Maine, Elspeth Sanchez-Colon and Alejandro of Charlestown, Maclellan Swan and MJ of California, Megan H. Hess and Scott of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Michael J. Lamothe of Beverly, and Faith P. Torrisi and Matthew of Brighton, England and great grandfather of Finn, Rhys, Mila, Rylie, Jose, Alejo, Jovanni, Helen, Henry.
Brother of Ronald E. Sundberg and his wife, Virginia of Norfolk, Linda V. Morse and her late husband, Robert, of Walpole, and the late Karl Kenneth Sundberg and his surviving wife, Eunice Bergman, of Florida.
Brother in law of Robert E. Carlson of Charlton and Greta A. Carlson of Walpole.
Also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
As a result of the ongoing health crisis in the world and our community and with genuine concern for the well-being of all involved, Larry’s family has decided that his visitation and funeral services will be private. A Memorial Service at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood will be held when we return to calmer and healthier times. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church 24 Berwick Street Norwood, MA 02062. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.