Lawrence J. “Larry” Fedewa, who wore many hats from professor to entrepreneur, passed away peacefully Oct. 29, in Manassas at age 87, following a battle with cancer and two days before his 88th birthday.
He was born Oct. 31, 1937, in Lansing, Mich., to Norman A. and Agnes G. (Murphy) Fedewa, who joked that she was never sure if he was a Halloween trick or a treat. She and all who knew him say it was the latter.
After studying for years at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, he ultimately discerned out of the priesthood and moved to Denver, where he taught at a Catholic school and met and later married Theresa K. Goeser in 1962.
After obtaining a doctorate in philosophy and social psychology from Marquette University, they moved from Milwaukee to Green Bay, Wis., where Fedewa taught at St. Norbert College.
A career shift into computer-assisted education and technology eventually brought Fedewa to the Baltimore-Washington area. In 1997, he joined St. Clare of Assisi Church in Clifton, where he was a lector and soloist.
“He had a wonderful baritone voice,” said Deacon Michael J. Mochel, recalling him singing “O Holy Night” at Christmas. Deacon Mochel was a longtime parishioner before his ordination to the diaconate in early 2015 and remembered Fedewa as a regular presence for many years.
Fedewa authored two books and, in 2012, began writing columns for outlets including The Washington Times, which in May published a column he wrote on Pope Leo XIV’s election and the prospects for world peace.
Fedewa is survived by his wife, Theresa; a daughter, Kirsten A. Fedewa; two sons, Eric C. (Ritika N.) and L. John (Nirali D. Patel) Fedewa Jr.; and four granddaughters, among other relatives.
Visitation is Nov. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home in Fairfax. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Clifton. For more information, go to the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home website.
