In Memoriam: Don M. Larrabee II (1941-2020)

Don Marshall Larrabee, a 46 year member of the Lycoming Law  Association, died on August 10, 2020. A special session of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County was held April 26, 2021, to remember Don Larabee. The transcript of the ceremony is available for reading.

Obituary

Don Marshall Larrabee, 78, of Bethlehem, PA and Venice, FL formerly of Williamsport, PA, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Ann (Henry) Larrabee, with whom he shared over 23 years of loving marriage. Born on November 26, 1941 in Williamsport, Don was the son of the late John Amsden and Rae (Crooks) Larrabee.

Don was a graduate of Williamsport High School, Franklin Marshall College and Fordham University School of Law. He owned and operated his own law firm for many years in Williamsport before retiring. Don also taught Business Law at Lycoming College for 37 years. He was a member of Venice Presbyterian, FL and Grace Church Bethlehem, PA. Don was also a lifetime member of the Gray’s Run Club, Trout Run, PA.

Survivors: In addition to his wife Ann, Don will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Deborah Lynn Hite and husband Jason, of Woodstown, NJ; stepsons, Brian R. Carosielli of Chatham, NJ and Todd M. Carosielli and wife Nicole, of Seattle WA; grandchildren, Madeline Rae and Lillian Grace Hite, Olivia Katheryn, Owen Michael, Isabel Ann and Lucia Rose Carosielli.

Services: A visitation will be held from 1 to 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 20, in Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Masks are required for entry and social distancing will be observed for everyone’s safety. The number of guests in the funeral home at one time will be limited. A private graveside service will be held in Williamsport, PA. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson’s Place. During COVID they have expanded their program outreach to help patients and caregivers anywhere online. 

Special Session of the Court Honoring Don M. Larrabee, April 26, 2021: 

View the entire
memorial session
on YouTube

Memorial Resolution

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LYCOMING COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In Re: LLA Bar History :
Memorial Resolution of :No. CV-2021-00004
Don M. Larrabee II, Esquire :

REPORT AND RESOLUTION OF COMMITTEE

To the Honorable Judges of the above named Court:

The Honorable Judge Nancy L. Butts, President Judge of Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County 29th Judicial District, by Order dated February 19, 2021, appointed the undersigned Committee to draft Resolutions memorializing the life of Don M. Larrabee II, Esquire, and to submit the same to this Honorable Court at a session of Court scheduled for Monday, April 26 2021, will now be submitted to the Court, via teleconference, on this date.

1. Don Marshall Larrabee, II was a member of the Bar of this Court for 46 years.
2. Don was born in Williamsport on November 26, 1941 and died on August 10, 2020 at the age of 78.
3. Don was the son of the late John Amsden and Rae (Crooks) Larrabee.
4. Don was the beloved husband of Ann (Henry) Larrabee, with whom he shared over 23 years of loving marriage.
5. Survivors in addition to his wife, Ann: Don will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Deborah Lynn Hite and husband Jason, of Woodstown, NJ, stepsons Brian R. Carosielli of Chatham, NJ and Todd M. Carosielli and his wife, Nicole, of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Madeline Rae and Lillian Grace Hite, Olivia Kathryn, Owen Michael, Isabel Ann and Lucia Rose Carosielli.
6. Don was a graduate of Williamsport High School, Class of 1959, Franklin and Marshall College, Class of 1963, and Fordham University School of Law, Class of 1966.
7. Besides his long time practice of law, Don taught business law (Lecturer in Law) at Lycoming College for 37 years. Don M. succeeded his uncle Don L. in this position.
8. Don was a life member of the Gray’s Run Club, in Trout Run, PA.
9. Don’s family has made important contributions to the Lycoming County Bench and Bar. His grandfather, Don Marshall Larrabee, was elected as a Lycoming County Judge in 1931 and in 1938 he became the President Judge of Lycoming County Bench for 20 years and was noted for his fairness.
10. Judge Larrabee’s son, Don Lincoln Larrabee, was an attorney and practiced law in Lycoming County. In 1952, upon Judge Larrabee’s retirement, he resumed private practice of law, with his son, Don Lincoln Larrabee.
11. Don Lincoln Larrabee, like our Don, taught at Lycoming College for 27 years.
12. After his graduation from law school and admission to the Bar in 1966, Don shared office space and practiced law with his uncle Don Lincoln Larrabee in the Bidlespacher building. Don Lincoln Larrabee died in 1972.
13. Upon his admission to the Bar in November 1968, Judge William Kieser opened his own law office in association with Don L. and Don M., in which he continued through 1971. Don continued his practice at this location until 1975.
14. Don also served as a part time law clerk for President Judge Charles Greevy and Judge Thomas Wood.
15. In 1971 Don ran for the office of District Attorney of Lycoming County on the Republican ticket but he lost in a close election to Democratic candidate Allen Ertel.
16. From 1975 to 1981 Don practiced at 143 West fourth Street and became good friends with Attorney Richard Roesgen who also worked in this building.
17. In 1981 Don entered into a partnership with his friend, Attorney Richard Roesgen and formed the law firm of Roesgen, Larrabee and Brown. Judge Brown had previously been an associate with Dick Roesgen in the law firm Hager and Roesgen.
18. They located this new law firm in the Old City Hall Buidling on Pine Street.
19. In 1988 Judge Brown, with the support of Don and Dick Roesgen, applied for and was appointed to the Lycoming County bench for the vacancy left by the early retirement of Judge Robert Wollet. Judge Brown was elected for a 10 year term in November 1989.
20. Upon the departure of Judge Brown, Attorney Douglas Engelman joined the firm which became the firm of Roesgen, Larrabee and Engelman.
21. Around 1994 Don opened up his own office to practice law associating with Attorney Peter Burchanowski at 4 West Fourth Street in Williamsport.
22. Don maintained his practice of law at the location until approximately 2011. With Don getting ready for retirement he became of counsel to the law firm of McNerney, Page, Vanderlin and Hall at 433 Market Street. Don was of counsel until 2012 when he retired from the practice of law.
23. Don married Barbara Green in 1973. They had one daughter, Deborah Lynn. In 1994, Don and Barbara divorced.
24. In 1996 Don married Ann Henry Carosielli. They were married at Covenant Central Church in Williamsport.
25. Don first met Ann, who lived in Lancaster, in 1968. It was a summer romance. Don was a young attorney and Ann went back to college. Over the years they would hear news of each other as their mothers were friends. Don and Ann both married someone else and raised children.
26. Ann’s husband, Michael Carosielli, died at age 47. They had two children, Brian and Todd.
27. Ann, still in Lancaster, contacted Don by phone for legal advice in settling her husband’s estate. Once the legal conversations concluded they decided to meet once more. Twenty-six years had passed since they had last seen each other.
28. Don, on every weekend thereafter, would drive to Lancaster so they could spend time together. When Don would tell the “second time around” story, he always said, “I can’t let her get away this time.”
29. Married in 1996, Don and Ann resided in Williamsport for the next 16 years. Don continued his law practice. Ann taught at Turbotville Elementary and then Central Elementary in South Williamsport.
30. Around 2011, Ann noticed that when walking together, Don would have trouble keeping up with her. Don’s symptoms became concerning and he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Looking to the future, they built a home with handicap modifications in Bethlehem, PA. This new location shortened the distance to children and grand babies.
31. The disease progressed and Don became wheelchair bound in 2016.
32. The following years were a challenge as the disease took so much from him. He never complained, and remained grateful for all that he still could enjoy. He especially cherished times with family, watching the grandchildren growing up. Spending the winter months in their Venice, FL home, cruising with friends, enjoying a chilled martini and a good meal, winning at cards, a good mystery, their dachshund, Susie....these things kept him upbeat. His quick wit still kept those around him smiling. His faith was strong; he was still “zooming” to church during the pandemic. His positive outlook was nothing short of pretty amazing.
33. Don’s last month was a stay in three different hospitals and he died from multiple complications of Parkinson’s on August 10, 2020 in Bethlehem.
34. Don is buried in his hometown of Williamsport at Wildwood Cemetery.
35. Don was always a gentlemen and was always respected as a skillful and honorable practitioner of law and was particularly loved by the partners and associates he worked with over the years.
36. Don will live on in the hearts of his family and his many friends.

Your Committee recommends the adoption of the following Resolutions:

BE IT RESOLVED that in the passing of Don M. Larrabee II, there has been a loss to the Bar of Lycoming County of an able and conscientious member who upheld and exemplified the highest traditions of the legal profession, a loss to the community of a valued participant, a loss to his family of a devoted, kind and loving father and grandfather and a loss to his friends and acquaintances of a sincere and caring man.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Court and this Bar do hereby extend to Don's wife, Ann, children and grandchildren, a deep and heartfelt expression of sympathy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread at length upon the Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County, and that copies of the same be sent to Don's wife, children and grandchildren.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

Hon. Kenneth D. Brown

Hon. William S. Kieser

C. Edward S. Mitchell

Douglas Engelman

Thomas C. Marshall

Scott A. Williams