Larry Marcus McCoy Final Resting Place

Larry “Marcus” McCoy ‘71 felt very passionate about his two schools; Bloom Township High School and University of Wisconsin – Madison. He loved playing basketball at both schools and he particularly loved being in Madison, Wisconsin. So on Friday, July 19, 2019, Larry’s wife, Donna Filips McCoy ‘72, brought his ashes to the town he loved. Family and friends gathered around the tennis courts at Tenny Park, Larry’s most favorite place where he spent many hours playing tennis, basketball and enjoying the sunrise over Lake Mendota. So how fitting it was to have an early morning memorial to reflect on his life and set his ashes free in the courts and on the water.

Dave Irwin, Larry’s tennis buddy, played the guitar while other friends and family told stories or said prayers. It was evident how much Larry meant to everyone and how much he is missed. A common thread was how Larry was so passionate about life, how he made everyone feel happy and how he never had a bad word or angry tone to him. Each person touched on a personal experience that had the small gathering of people in tears or in laughter. A common word to describe him was “UNITARY”. Larry was so good at bringing people together; all races, religion, young and old. He did that so much in Wisconsin.

Donna told how he returned to Chicago Heights and planned the biggest party ever – the Bloom High School Centennial: where 3000 alumni returned and a quarter of a million dollars raised for Bloom students. Everyone agreed that this was one of his talents. Larry continued his mission of bringing people together, raising money and celebrating his Bloom Alma Mater’s history right up into his death. His last wish was to put on one last event; another Bobby Bell Awards Dinner where Donna and Coach Steve Miller, CEO of Andre Agassi Foundation and head of the United States Track and Field Association worked together from his hospital bed to organize and carry it out. On September 15, 2018, Larry attended the event in a wheelchair and was right where he was supposed to be. Not only did his wish come true, but the icing on the cake was to meet LeRoy Jackson ’58, one of Bloom’s legendary athletes who once was clocked as the fastest human in the nation. Other awardees were coaches Ernie Turner, Marilyn Anderson, Tom Koenig, athletes Walter Futrell ’77 (Trail) and Tom Erikson ‘82 and sports announcer for 670 The Score Terry Boers ‘68.

Larry “Marcus” McCoy had a shortened life, but filled it leaving a mark on people’s hearts. The exemplarily way he treated people set a high standard. His love and passion was seen in everything he did, from creating big events to the small things like a game of tennis. When I left the motel on the morning of his memorial in Madison, Wisconsin, I saw a small leaf on the bed. It brought me back over 50 years ago when Larry first became a Wisconsin Badger and he wrote me his first letter filled with leaves of all colors. In the letter he talked about how much he loved Madison and how beautiful it was in the fall with the colorful trees. And yes, something this small he needed to share. How I miss these little things.