SYKORA
Regretfully, Larry Joseph Sykora aged 71 years of Moose Jaw, SK, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29th, 2025, after an 8-month struggle with cancer.
He was predeceased by his parents, David Sykora and Bernadette Allarie/Sykora. Larry is survived by his wife, Arlene and her children: James (Sami) Beckett and Ella, Joshua (Tennille) Beckett, Trevina, Sophia, Elias, and Gabrial, and Nicholas (Katie) Beckett, Aria and Skylar; Larry’s five daughters, whom he loved with his heart: Stacey (Philip) Simms and Shadrach, Chelsea (Eric) Swenson, Connor, Sullivan and Sloan, Jasmin (Andrew) Westermann, Winter, Scarlett and Remi, Hope (Monkey) Sykora, and Michaela (Tiffany) Sykora; and siblings, Debbie (Brent) Sykora and Brian (Ashley) Sykora. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family, aunties, cousins and friends.
Larry was born on August 5th, 1954 in Pense, Saskatchewan. He was the first born of Dave and Bernadette Sykora. They would say that those years were the happiest of their lives, when Larry was young and they were making do with what little they had.
Larry was an athlete from a young age. He participated in little league with the Royals A and B team, All Star teams and the pony league. He played against Clark Gillies and was on the Riverview Royals football team as a running and defensive back. He also won a city championship in curling while at Riverview. Larry also enjoyed playing basketball and participated in track. Larry excelled in every sport, playing to the extreme, as a teenager and an adult. He had a slo-pitch team called the Challengers for many years and participated as a coach and player (usually shortstop) and also played recreational league volleyball. He was a competitor at heart.
Larry passed his love of sports on to his daughters. Collectively, they were in figure skating, ringette, hockey, kayaking, bowling, curling, soccer and baseball, and would often move on to provincial championships. Hockey dominated and Larry was a proud father, often on the road attending tournaments along with his wife at that time, Nancy. His dad, Dave and brother, Brian would also take part cheering for the girls.
Larry worked in real estate for many years with his father Dave at Band City Reality. He was a realtor as well as a broker. He also worked alongside friends building bins, doing siding and began learning the construction trade. His dad also expanded into construction, and he would hone his skills there. When the girls were born, Larry was a stay-at-home dad while he also bought and flipped houses, doing the renovations himself. In 1999 Larry went back to school to pursue his journeyman carpentry ticket and would complete it with his Red Seal designation. A few years before that he completed his Building Systems Operator certification. Larry also owned properties and was a landlord. For the past twenty years Larry worked as a maintenance man for the provincial government, retiring just two years ago. His youngest daughter Michaela remembers Larry saying…the world would fall apart without carpenters.
Larry and Arlene recently married on July 22nd where they made it official and built a life including their children and grandchildren. Larry and Arlene purchased a larger house to accommodate everyone. When Larry first became ill, he was concerned that the backyard wasn’t finished for them to have family barbecues. The girls would help to complete that dream, although he is not here to fulfill it. He will be remembered whenever we are together.
Larry and Arlene enjoyed camping together, spending time at Manitou Beach. They also went to movies together as Larry was a fan of any genre of movie. They would take their dog Blue for walks and later car rides, getting Timbits for him. And then there is family.
There are not enough words to describe the love Larry had for his daughters. It truly knows no bounds - he gave his oldest, Stacey, his kidney! Overall, his life has revolved around his girls. They were his world, and he loved them the most, each one. This was apparent by how they stepped in to help with his care, along with Arlene, when he became ill. Larry was also very proud of each one of the grandchildren and would share news and pictures about them. He was a proud grandparent of both his own and Arlene’s grandchildren. Larry was also close to his siblings, Brian and Debbie. Through the years Larry would frequent coffee shops with brother Brian off and on during the week, and then on the weekend Debbie would join them. When family asked about them, it was always how is Larry and Brian or where are Larry and Brian. They were often synonymous with one another. Larry was a good big brother and there are many memories from time spent. Family and extended family were important to him. This was something we learned that came with our Metis heritage from our mom. We were told that Larry was a favourite cousin. We all felt loved and supported by our extended family throughout his illness. He was drawn to the places where it all began, our parents’ homesteads, and Larry, always the spontaneous one, would tell everyone that we were heading to either Grandpa’s homestead at Scout Lake or to Grandma’s in Manitoba, at a moments notice. We were taught by our parents, aunties and uncles that family is a priority. As children, we were always on the road to either side of the family.
Larry was someone people gravitated to as he loved to visit and tease. If you were in his orbit, you know what that means. During his illness Larry became more positive and was worried about everyone else. This life without him will be less than. He has left a legacy of brightness with his daughters and his grandchildren. We will miss you Larry, the most.
The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home with Pastor Phill Simms officiating. Those not able to attend may view the service by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Larry’s name may be made to Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw, Box 334, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 4N9 or the Allan Blair Cancer Centre c/o Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Ave, Regina, SK S4T 7T1. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
