Obituary of Lawrence 'Larry' Joseph Gazdig

September 2, 1935 – November 1, 2018 Larry, the creator of Power Plus Skating, passed away peacefully at University Hospital at the age of 83. Husband of 41 years to Anita (Koenig). Father of Cyndi (Chris Weyler) and Nina. Son of the late Vilma and Frank. Brother to Joan and Johnny (Denise), as well as the late Mary and Frank. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Larry is a legend in the London area for teaching high school automotive, and more famous for teaching power skating. Larry’s power skating journey started in the early '60s. He saw that boys were not getting the early start in skating to develop their skills like girls did through figure skating. This was what brought him into working with the London Skating Club to create Power Skating as we know and love it today. Larry was a self-taught skater who would accept nothing but perfection in his own abilities. With this as his base, he started to develop the drills needed to build skating skills to play the game with the best results. After a few years, the need for a full power skating program was so clear to Larry that he ventured off to start his own program and gave it his all. Thus, Power Plus Skating was born. It was not always easy and over the years Larry worked and honed the drills into the best skating program in the country. He has taught many children who later became very well known on the ice. Just a few of the people who have reached their top potential because of Larry’s program are: Brad Marsh, Eric Lindros, Joe Thornton, Darryl Sittler, Nazem Kadri, and Canada’s great Christine Nesbitt. Over the last 56 years, Larry devoted his life to the program. He has had over 40,000 children improve their skills through his teaching. Larry has had generations of families go through his program. He has been able to teach adults how to skate, and see them enjoy the sport so many of us love. Larry’s passing has deeply affected everyone who has known him. In life, he did nothing small, always trying to ensure that everyone could reach their best. Larry will always be known for the amazing program that he developed and his pursuit of perfection. I believe that Ron MacLean said it best when he said “Larry runs blades like a surgeon.” While he will be missed greatly, his legacy will live on. The Gazdig family wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of University Hospital-Stroke Unit for the wonderful care and support for Larry and the family. Friends and former students are invited to reminisce at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Larry are asked to consider the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.