Laurence Scott Gardner

Laurence Scott Gardner, age 85, of Cheshire, CT passed away Monday, March 3, 2025. Larry was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. His spirited personality, sense of fun and the kindness, generosity, loyalty and devotion he showed to his family and friends made him truly one of a kind.

Larry was born in 1939 in Worcester, MA, the son of the late Donald Scott Gardner and Bernice Thelma (Brigham) Hensley. He graduated from Deering High School in Portland, Maine in 1957 and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in 1962. In 1963, Larry married Judith McNabb Gardner, to whom he remained married for over 61 years until Judy’s passing in January. During college and after graduation, Larry served his country with honor and pride in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. Following his Army service, Larry began a long career as a commercial airline pilot with United Airlines, where he was one of the first captains to fly the Boeing 777 aircraft. His career took him all over the United States and to many parts of the world. Larry was proud of having a jogging route in every city he visited.

In 1968, after having their first child, Larry and Judy settled in their close-knit Cheshire neighborhood, where they raised their four children, Peter, Katy, Megan and Molly. In addition to his career as a pilot, Larry and his wife also owned and operated CATS Gymnastics in Cheshire for over 30 years. After he retired from flying, you could often find Larry behind the desk at CATS greeting children and parents when they arrived for lessons and practice.

Despite his exciting career choice, husband and father were his most cherished jobs. Larry was an active, supportive and involved father, attending his kids field trips and sporting events, helping them build elaborate projects and Halloween costumes, teaching them how to draw, use tools and play sports, taking them on special trips and adventures, and acting as their mover/handyman when they moved to their own apartments and houses. He was thrilled when his grandkids arrived, so he could do the same with them. He reveled in the role of fun and loving Grampy, planning elaborate pillow fights, cracking silly faces and jokes, cuddling and generally entertaining his grandkids. He loved to dance, he loved to fly, he loved to run and golf, and he loved his yard. He was known for his insatiable sweet tooth, corny dad jokes, and leading the caroling at the annual neighborhood Christmas party. He was the life of the party and never said no to helping a family member or friend in need.

Larry was predeceased by his wife, Judith McNabb Gardner, and is survived by his children Peter Gardner of Cheshire, Catherine “Katy” Gardner of New York, NY, Megan Gardner and her husband, David Schwartz, of South Pasadena, CA, and Molly Gardner and her husband, Stephen Peet, of Larchmont, NY. He leaves his cherished grandchildren, Will and Scott Schwartz and Maisie Peet. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John McNabb of Andover, MA, David McNabb and his partner, Lori Axelson, of Scarborough, ME, Dennis McNabb and his wife, Paula, of Great Neck, NY, Deborah Houle of Scarborough, ME, Stephen McNabb and his wife, Lu Ann, of Charlottesville, VA, and Jeffrey McNabb of Saco, ME; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Lolli McNabb and Sheila McNabb, and his brother-in-law, James Houle.

Friends may greet Larry’s family at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 So. Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Sunday, March 16, 2025, between 1PM and 2PM. A Memorial Service will commence at 2PM at the funeral home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.