John J. Larry, Bank of America executive drowned in Florida

Updated: 05/23/08 6:37 AM

Sept. 1, 1959 — May 19, 2008

John J. Larry, a senior vice president of commercial banking for Bank of America, drowned Monday in Longboat Key, Fla. He was 48.

Mr. Larry and a friend, Christopher Gugliuzza, 52, of the Town of Tonawanda, died while vacationing in Florida with their spouses and other friends. The two men were taking an afternoon dip in the Gulf of Mexico when they were caught in a riptide. .

Born in North Tonawanda, Mr. Larry was a 1977 graduate of North Tonawanda High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Canisius College.

He had been involved in the banking industry for 25 years and most recently was an executive vice president and client manager in Bank of America’s global corporate and investment bank division in Buffalo. He also was involved in numerous local charities.

Mr. Larry, a Grand Island resident, served as a board member of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Buffalo Niagara Partnership and Kaleida Health Foundation. He also was on the boards of the Buffalo State College Foundation and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and was a member of Leadership Buffalo Class of 1996.

Mr. Larry had also served as coach and treasurer of Grand Island Little League Baseball.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, the former Arlene Clement; three sons, Mark, Christopher and Michael; his father, Donald; and two sisters, Jane Stromecki and Linda.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a. m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, Oliver Street and Center Avenue, North Tonawanda.