Lawrence “Larry” Raymond Mitchell, 91, of Shelton Connecticut passed away April 12, 2026. He was born July 7, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa the fourth of five children to Julie Mae (King) and James Eugene Mitchell. Larry’s Catholic upbringing during World War II and mid-western values ingrained a duty to serve God and community.
His family moved to Chicago where Larry met Eileen Venza, the love of his life, at a high school dance. In 1956 he graduated from St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota. Later that year he married Eileen and together they raised four children.
Trained as a salesman at IBM, Larry sold computers to major corporations throughout the mid-west. In 1967 he was promoted to a position in the New York headquarters and moved his family to New Canaan, Connecticut. He later joined Wang Labs and covered various Wall Street firms.
In New Canaan, Larry established himself in the parish ministry, and the town’s Family Fourth Committee. Once retired, Larry and Eileen moved to Williamsburg, Virginia re-connecting with numerous high school and college friends. They enjoyed volunteer work at St. Bede Parish, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Colonial Williamsburg. In 2012, Larry and Eileen moved to Shelton, Connecticut to be closer to their children.
Larry and Eileen were together 62 years before she preceded him in death on April 8, 2019. At that time Larry moved to the independent living community at Masonicare at Wesley Heights in Shelton, Connecticut where he was elected to run the residence council and established the “Welcome Committee” for new residents.
With a gregarious nature and warm handshake, Larry treasured time with his friends and family.
Larry is survived by his four children: Larry (Jill) Mitchell Jr., Lynn (Rod Van Deusen), Beth (Chuck Lee), and Karen Levesque. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Charlie (Juili) Lee, Tom (Claire) Mitchell, RJ (Devon) Van Deusen, Emily Mitchell, Caitlyn Van Deusen, Eddie Lee; his great-grandson, Charlie; as well as his nieces, nephews, and goddaughters. Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife Eileen; his siblings and their spouses, Jean (Francis) St. John, James (Mary Alice) Mitchell Jr., Margaret (Bud) Jackson, and Julie (Robert) Roels; his brother-in-law, Jac Venza, and son-in-law, Patrick Levesque.
Larry will be dearly missed by all. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7, 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd. Shelton. On Friday everyone is invited to go directly to St. Mary Margaret Church, 50 Donovan Ln. Shelton, at 11:00 a.m. for his Mass of Christian Burial. Private interment will take place at Mount St. Peter’s in Derby.
The Mitchell Family would like to thank the entire staff and residents at Wesley Heights for their caring community. His children are humbled and grateful for the affection and friendship their father received over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to benefit the residents and staff of the wonderful community where he lived. Memorial Contributions can be made to: Wesley Heights, Crosby Commons Resident Council (ATTN: Donna Brice) 580 Long Hill Ave. Shelton CT 06484 (please reference Larry Mitchell in the memo). Online condolences can be offered to the family at www.riverviewfh.com.