Paul Larkin Jr., 81, of 25 Crosby Street, Great Barrington, died peacefully on Friday, February 3, at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke with his loving family by his side.
Born on April 6, 1935 in Great Barrington. He was the son of the late Joseph P. Larkin and Mary Foley Larkin.
He was a lifelong resident of Great Barrington where he attended local schools and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1953. He was a member of the Naval Reserves while in high school. Paul was also an Army veteran and proudly served as an Artillery Specialist and spent a couple of years in Germany.
Paul was known as a car guy. Many knew him as the man to see to rent a car. Many knew him as U-Haul Paul or the self-appointed “Neon King.” He was also the part owner of a racecar, owned and operated Blue & White Taxi Company as well as the Great Barrington Driving School. He owned and operated his own business, Larkin’s Car Store, until October 2015, where he sold and rented cars.
Paul is survived by his wife, Sandra C. Larkin, daughters Christine A. Larkin of Maynard, Mass., and Gina T. Larkin of West Palm Beach, Fla., step-children Thea and William E. Owens Jr. of Winnabow, N.C., Robert McGuire of Durham, Conn., and Kimberly L. Shaw of Sheffield, grandchildren Ashlee Shaw, Michael Gage and Major Christopher Gage, U.S. Army, his sister Mary Ann Coakley and husband Robert of Lenox, and brother-in-law Ronald R. Curtis of Taconic, Conn., along with several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Paul was predeceased by his brother James.
Funeral services for Paul Larkin will be held on Tuesday, February 7 at 10 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Church with Rev. William P. Murphy, Pastor officiating. Burial will follow with Military Honors in St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in Paul’s memory may be made to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, St. Peter’s Church Restoration Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be made on-line at birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
