LAWRENCE - Laurence "Larry" E. Collopy, 74, of Lawrence passed away peacefully on March 26, 2015 at Lawrence General Hospital. Laurence passed as the result of a massive heart attack he sustained on March 20.

Larry was born in Lawrence and was the son of Edward and Mildred (McGregor) Collopy. He was a graduate of Lawrence HS with the class of 1958, and from Merrimack College in 1965. He is a Veteran of the U.S. Army for three years serving in Korea.

He is survived by his brother Francis (Frank) Collopy and wife Emilie and their six children, eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He has many cousins and their children with whom he interacted, in addition to other families in Greater Lawrence and in Maine whom he spent some holidays with, and also celebrated births and weddings with.

Larry's main love was music and he taught school at Old Orchard Beach and for the City of Lawrence. For many years he was involved with the Merrimack College Alumni Chorus. He was Music Director in a number of catholic parishes in Greater Lawrence. He appeared in many musical productions at the Arundel Playhouse in Maine, and at the Amesbury Playhouse. In the 1980's he had the lead male part in Man of La Mancha there. One instance of his musical talents shined when he wrote and composed an entire Mass music ensemble for the funeral of his mother, Mildred, when she passed away in October 1993. It was very beautiful and well received at the ceremony. Ironically, Larry sang on Thursday, March 19, the day before the heart attack, at St. Patrick's Church at the funeral of his cousin, Gertrude Walsh. Those in attendance enjoyed the powerful performance of his voice that day. The family would like to thank and acknowledge the caring concern of the staff of Lawrence General Hospital, especially those doctors and nurses working in the Cardiac Care Unit.

The family of Laurence will be celebrating his life at a Memorial Celebration that will be held in July during the time of the Collopy Family reunion. Relatives and friends are welcomed to attend at a date to be announced. Please visit www.driscollcares.com for guestbook and information on the service once planned.

Contributions may be made in Larry's name to either the New England Veterans Liberty House, 599 Canal Street, 6 East Suite 17, Lawrence, MA 01841; or to Merrimack College Campus Ministry, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01845.