Lawrence “Larry” M. Cowen

Lawrence M. Cowen, July 15, 1945 – October 25, 2023

Lawrence M. “Larry” Cowen, also known as “Santa,” passed away on October 25, 2023 at S.S. Hospital. He valiantly battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the past year, and appreciated the compassionate care he received from Dana-Farber Cancer Center (Weymouth), Mass General Hospital, the NVNA, and the Hull Fire Department.

Larry leaves behind his life partner, C. Anne Murray (Hull, MA), and sons: Timothy Cowen (San Francisco, CA), Christopher Cowen (Hull. MA), Brian Cowen (El Paso, TX) and Frank Cowen of (Loxahatchee FL) and grandsons: Sebastian R. Cowen (San Francisco, CA), and Jackson L. Cowen (Pembroke MA). In addition, he leaves several half-/step-siblings (Bonnie Davis, Melodye Davis, Carolyn Crane, Candy Nichols, and Carla St. Sauveur) and their extended family members in NH, and his former wife and friend, Melodie Mellor in San Francisco. He was predeceased by his brothers, James E. Cowen and Stephen Davis.

Larry was born in 1945 to Eugene H. Cowen and Margaret Mary Luce in Montpellier Vermont. He grew up in Waterbury, VT and summered with the family on the Butterfield Dairy Farm outside of Middlebury VT, spending many an hour doing chores and enjoying being outdoors. He graduated from Rice Memorial High School in VT and Northeastern University in Boston. Larry married and moved to Boston in 1964. He began his healthcare career as an Operating Room Technician at Beth Israel Hospital. During his tenure there he served on early cardiac research teams. He subsequently worked at Milton Hospital. Larry left the healthcare profession and worked at several other occupations; eventually landing at Knight Tuition Payment Plans (KTPP). In 1983 he entered into permanent sobriety thanks to the help he received at NORCAP Lodge in Foxboro MA. Larry met Anne while working at KTPP. After dating for several years, Larry moved to Hull to Anne’s family home on Green Hill, where they enjoyed a quiet life. Larry enjoyed the beach, reading, music, videography, computer graphics, holiday decorating and most of all his family.

Larry was a jack of all trades. He started a Handy Pair of Hands, a local handyman business where he especially enjoyed helping elders. After retiring he started his favorite job of all by working part-time at the Sunshine Pet Parlor with his best-furry friend, Patches, by his side. He loved greeting all his four-footed friends.

Larry believed in the four stages of life: 1. You believe in Santa Claus. 2. You don’t believe in Santa Claus. 3. You are Santa Claus. 4. You look like Santa Claus. He was Santa at Sunshine Pet Parlor and the Hull Holiday Showcase for several years, as well as to any child he encountered along the way. So although Santa Larry might be gone, he still exists as long as there is love, generosity, and devotion.

There will be no formal services, but a private celebrations of life.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Friends of Dana-Farber, 450 Brookline Ave., SW120, Boston, MA 02215 or to any animal charity.