Roy Joseph Larson, son of Charles and Cecilia Larson, died peacefully on December 11, 2025, in his home in Florida in the presence of his loving wife and family. He lived his 85 years fully, as a person devoted to faith and family, with a clear moral compass. Roy was dedicated to physical fitness, and always challenged himself to be his best self.

Roy’s commitment to a career in education began at SUNY Cortland, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and, most importantly, met his future wife and life partner, Margaret. While in college, he competed in several sports including varsity swimming, which remained his favored sport for much of his life. Roy’s teaching career began at Hamilton College in Clinton NY. He spent the remainder of his university teaching career at SUNY Maritime College where he taught physical education, water survival skills to all Maritime cadets as well as coaching the NCAA swimming and diving teams. He was elected and served as the President of the Faculty Senate for the entire SUNY System and advocated for improving education, and the appropriate recognition of the vital role of educators in preparing future generations to meet society’s evolving needs. Roy was also the swimming pro at Quaker Ridge Country Club, where he established deep friendships that continued for the remainder of his life.

In addition to his career, Roy was a man of diverse talents and interests. He was an avid golfer and talented dancer. He also enjoyed gardening, bridge and other card and word games. He believed strongly in lifelong learning and took up several activities in the final decades of life, including ball room dancing, line dancing and Tai Chi. However, Roy’s greatest joy was supporting and spending time with his family. He enjoyed coaching his children and even some of his grandchildren and enthusiastically supported all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their passionate pursuits—be it baseball, basketball, boxing, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, t-ball, softball, volleyball or soccer, musical performances, or visual arts.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Larson. Roy and Margaret remained deeply in love through their marriage of over 64 years. He is also survived by his daughter Dr. Cecilia Larson and his son and daughter-in-law Roy and Allison Larson. Roy was preceded in death by his daughters Elizabeth Melanson and Mary Strothenke as well as his son-in-law Paul Strothenke. Roy is also survived by his brothers and their families, Charles Larson of Hawaii and Patrick Larson of Maryland.

Roy’s legacy lives on through his cherished grandchildren and their spouses (and spouses-to-be): Daniel and Jacqueline Strothenke, Luke Strothenke and Sophia Rock, Mark Strothenke, Nicholas Dudek, Emily Dudek and Megan Heller, Samantha Larson, Emma Larson, Roy Larson, Patrick Melanson, Margaret Melanson, and Jacqueline Melanson. He is survived as well by great-grandchildren Charlotte, Declan and Jackson Strothenke, as well as many dear nieces and nephews, and friends especially from NY and FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Roy’s honor to the American Cancer Society.