It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Larry C. Osius (1931–2016). Larry died Sunday, May 15, 2016.
In 1965, Larry became managing editor of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. In 1972, he advanced to editor and publisher. He retired in 1990 but continued as a consultant and sales representative for the magazine until 2000.
The following is his full obituary, courtesy of Rich & Thompson Funeral & Cremation Service:
Larry C. Osius, 85, of The Village at Brookwood in Burlington, died Sunday, May 15, 2016.
Mr. Osius was born in Detroit, MI, the only son of the late Walter F. and Ruth Clark Osius. A good part of his youth was spent in New York City, where he was graduated from Elisabeth Irwin High School in Greenwich Village. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Oklahoma A&M College (later Oklahoma State University) in 1952.
After serving as first lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps in France, he began a career in journalism that included eight years as an editor and reporter with the Associated Press in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C.
In 1965 he was named managing editor of Electrical Contractor magazine, official publication of the National Electrical Contractors Association in Washington. In 1972 he became editor and publisher of the monthly magazine, retiring in 1990 to the Myrtle Beach, SC area but continuing as a consultant and sales representative for the magazine until 2000.
He and his wife of 60-plus years, Mary Ellen Gorman Osius, who died in 2013, moved to Burlington in 2003, taking up residence at The Village at Brookwood. For several years he volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, Positive Attitude for Youth and was an officer of the TVAB Residents’ Association and editor of the monthly newsletter, Village Voice.
Mr. Osius is survived by two daughters: Ms. Mary Beth German of Raleigh, NC and Mrs. Laura Michel and son-in-law, Jeff Michel of Burlington; three grandchildren; Katharine R. Bacon of Arvada, CO, Brittany M. German of Wilmington, NC, and Christopher G. Michel of Charleston, SC; great-granddaughter, Elena Sterling Bacon of Arvada, CO; two half-brothers, Gary E. Osius of New York City, NY and Timothy W. Osius of Viera, FL and very special friend, June Harris, of Burlington.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Front Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ray Wittman presiding. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Residents Assistance Fund at The Village at Brookwood, 1860 Brookwood Ave., Burlington, NC 27215 or to the Music Fund of Front Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 2597, Burlington, NC 27216.
The family would like to thank his caring and dedicated caregivers and medical team, specifically, Dr. Teresa Tullo; Dr. Nancy Phifer, his palliative care doctor, who represented an important part of his final transition; the doctors and nurses at ARMC; and, the caring staff of Windsor Unit skilled nursing at the Village at Brookwood. Finally, we wish to thank the staff, VIP caregivers and many friends at the Village at Brookwood whom he treasured and enjoyed knowing.
