Lawrence "Larry" Mazzocco, of Lansing, IL, went to rest on Thursday, January 12, 2023, and his spirit returned to our Father. Larry was preceded in death by his Grandparents: Bernice and Walter Palaszynski, and Theresa and Paul Mazzocco; parents: Ruth and Leonard Mazzocco; father-in-law Eugene Zelasko; and son Lawrence Mazzocco Jr., in May, 2020.

Larry is survived by his wife: Susan (nee Zelasko); his children of both a first and second marriage: Giancarlo Mazzocco; and the twins with former-wife Susan Rogers (nee Pavich): Rebecca (Dave) Mazzocco-Phelps and Michael (Jessica) Mazzocco; grandchildren: Mason Mazzocco, Connor Leo Mazzocco, Tyler Jack Mazzocco, and Ryleigh Mazzocco-Phelps; petfriends: Dusty and Mysty. Larry is also survived by siblings: Paul (JoAnne) Mazzoco; Patricia (Charles) Zito; Laura (Joseph) Jacoby; mother-in-law Myrna Zelasko; brothers-in-law James (Elizabeth) Zelasko, Joseph Zelasko, Anthony (Brenda) Zelasko, and Peter (Callie) Zelasko; 16 nephews, 4 nieces, 6 grandnieces, 6 grandnephews; cousins of the Guido, Claude, and Mary (Graan) Mazzocco fami lies.

Friends of Lawrence Mazzocco Sr. and friends of his son, Lawrence Mazzocco Jr. are invited to a double Celebration of Life on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 3:00-7:0 0 PM with service immediately following at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Rd., Lansing, IL 60438.

Mr. Mazzocco was born at the time of an historic seiche of 25' in height that serged a section of Chicago's lakefront. Larry grew up in South Chicago and enjoyed his neighborhood, photography, learning electronics and attending sporting events with his father, science projects, and a schooling with no sick days ever. Larry served as captain of patrol boys and ran a big paper route as a youth. Larry served as Giappo's Pizza chef and manager, as part owner with his brother Paul. He entered the construction trade--bringing up/topping off high rise buildings, performing feats such as jack-hammering for weeks on end or operating special equipment for placing the antenna on AT&T tower.

As Systems Dispatcher at the MWRDGC Lawrence monitored/managed the level of key points on the Chicago River and the Lockport locks; He was sometimes filmed at work and provided a part for an NPR television program that featured information on the "Water Cycle"; and as well he occasionally provided interviews to Chicago news anchors during unusual storms. Larry handled phones, fielding inquiries of mayors', barge operators/traffic controllers', and citizens' across Cook County. He received daily reports from Murray and Trettel weather service. A key goal of Mr. Mazzocco's job at "the District" was to plan ahead of weather and thaws, often to prevent reverses of the Chicago River into "Big Blue" Lake Michigan, prevent Wacker from flooding, etc., sometimes working three shifts in a row(!)

Mr. Mazzocco received an associate's degree in electronics technology at "Thornton Community College," (South Suburban College). Mr. Mazzocco attended Colorado State University to study movie production and photography. He played college football for the 'Rams' on scholarship--with Jerry Angelou (who later coached Chicago Bears) being one of his toughest coaches. Larry participated in a weeks' long Nautilus equipment review--once in the company of Mr. Dick Butkus, during CSU training. Mr. Mazzocco played in the Chicago City Baseball Championship--winning it with his Bowen High School teammates; many of them played the 'longest running annual Turkeybowl football' group at Chicago's lakefront Calumet Park for fifty years now. Larry played quarterback, and as frosh on varsity. He was presented the University of Notre Dame Club of Chicago's recognition as Knute Rockne Memorial Nominee, 1971 Bowen High School.

Along the way, Mr. Mazzocco enjoyed traveling, frequently visiting nature - walking trails with family for 35 years, combing beaches of Lake Michigan, Minnesota, Florida and Hawaiian Islands, contributing to Boy Scouts leadership, golf outings with friends and co-workers, remodeling projects at home, mowing grass and shoveling snow! He kept contact with former classmates, co-workers, and attended class reunions. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Sauk Village and went to the range with friends. He enjoyed keeping-up with news/politics of the day, and especially enjoyed his steady research of Bible topics.

Larry upheld the name of Yahweh in great earnest, and accepted the blessings of Yahshuah, as Messiah. Love of Creator and giving and sharing the love and support of friends, family and neighbor has been Larry's chief interest and motivation in this not-the-real life. Parenting four beautiful children, attending to their support and happiness and seeing their well-being and successes made his life complete. Larry was deeply proud of his children and thankful to have welcomed four grandchildren. Prayer and setting the scriptural male lead for establishing and growing a blessed matrimony, (for which Larry many times mentioned credit to the Originator of Marriage), were part of his reaching a certain fulfillment in that arena of life, which was so important to Larry. The knowing and trusting in the love he prayed for, possessed and wanted, with all his heart, to extend was his--regardless of, or even because of, the shadowed valleys, long stretch of open or crowded plains, and mountain peaks encountered in 68 years.

Larry demonstrated and developed a reserved - receptive nature, a nurturing spirit, and gifts of resilient strength of body-mind-spirit, among his personal "miraculously made" gifts, to the Father's glory. Larry's next chapter: The healing of all wounds of our human imperfection, through the provision of Messiah Yahshuah and his Kingdom. For now: "Well done! Good and faithful servant, Lawrence D. Mazzocco!" In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the family.