Larry Merlin Gadwah

Larry Merlin Gadwah, age 82, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, in Colorado Springs, Colorado after a long and valiant fight against illness.

Larry was born October 27, 1943, in West Stewartstown, NH, the son of the late Merlin Leon and Mary Jane Alma Gadwah. Larry grew up in Canaan, VT, graduating from Canaan High School in 1961. During his younger years in Vermont, Larry worked as a tree scaler for St. Regis Lumber and for Ethan Allen.

One summer, Larry and his friends took a trip to Quimby’s in Norton, and it was here that he met the love of his life Mona Eileen Roberts. Married in 1964 they would spend the next 62 years together, moving to Connecticut, raising a family and traveling to their favorite vacation spots year after year. They would spend time in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and North Carolina’s Outer Banks, making a lifetime of memories along the way. Until the very end Larry’s primary concern was his beloved Mona, concerned more about her well-being and happiness than his own struggles.

Larry and Mona raised one son, Chris, and he made it his goal to be a great Dad, involved and supportive of anything that Chris would choose to do. Watching from the sidelines of basketball games and cross country meets, Larry always pushed Chris to do his best and supported him whatever the outcome. He planned the trip of a lifetime for the family, touring the country in a ‘camper van’ that he modified himself from a pickup truck, secured Chris the job via friends that led to a lifetime of employment and went out every Christmas eve to buy one more present, because the pile he had already picked up ‘was not quite enough for his boy.

One of Larry’s most cherished roles was that of “Grampy.”  With Brianna and Raelene, Larry embraced the role of Grandfather and was a spoiler in every sense of the word. Then with his little buddy Ben, Larry would read books, pick strawberries and add to an ever-expanding Thomas train layout, being the Grampy every little kid dreams about. Larry would even re-landscape the entire yard just to make sure Ben had more room to play outside during his frequent visits. Perhaps more than anything other than his family, Larry loved Christmas, his last spent with family in Colorado including the annual tradition of watching Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas.

Larry was a proud United Air States Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam War in the 509th Bomb Wing with overseas deployments to both Guam and Okinawa. Larry often spoke of his friends and his adventures during his service. After his discharge Larry spent the majority of his working life as a computer programmer in the Greater Hartford, CT area first for Aetna Life & Casualty followed by Advest, where he made countless friends and was praised as hardworking, genuine and kind by all that knew him.

Larry was pre-deceased by his sister Gloria Lizotte. He is survived by his wife Mona of Colorado Springs, CO; his son Chris and wife Ann of Colorado Springs, CO along with grandson Ben; his granddaughters Brianna Donaldson and her husband Matthew along with their children Chloe and Evelyn of Belmont, MA and Raelene Gliha and her husband Chris along with their children Jackson, Olly and Thea of Salem CT; sister Cheryl Rae of Harpersville, AL; brothers David Gadwah and his wife Karen of Apex, NC and Ron Gadwah and his wife Karen Decosse of Hampton, NH; his brother in law Lucien Lizotte of Kensington, NH and numerous nieces and nephews along with their families and children.

A service to honor Larry’s life will be held at a future date in Colebrook, NH.