Larry Kent Hein

Larry Kent Hein of Trumansburg passed away on February 6, 2025 at Bethany Village Manor in Horseheads, NY. 

Larry was born November 22, 1939 in Detroit, MI the oldest of seven children born to Charles Earl Hein and Jean Alice Mayer. His father was an engineer with Morse Chain and was transferred from Detroit to upstate NY. The family relocated to Newfield in 1954 where Larry met many of his lifelong friends at Newfield High School. He was an outstanding athlete and student, and attended the University of Oklahoma while in the Navy ROTC. He also trained with NCR and worked most of his career as a field engineer, repairing cash registers and banking machines and getting to know nearly every business owner in the Ithaca/Cortland area. 

He was the general manager of WTKO radio station in Ithaca for many years as well. He loved radio and local sports and did the color commentary for lots of high school games. Larry never missed one of his kid’s or grandkid’s athletic events or concerts. The lacrosse team called him “Lucky Larry” because they never lost when he was there. He was a true super fan. 

He retired to Colorado Springs, CO in the 90’s and loved touting the number of days of sunshine there compared to NY. In his “retirement” he took the nickname Whitey the Cowboy and worked with Adventures Out West as a jeep tour driver and on a hot air balloon crew for another 15 years. He was a fantastic tennis player, skier, sailor, dancer and reader and lived life to the fullest. One of his grandson’s bought him a bumper sticker that said “This vehicle stops at all rummage sales” and he displayed it (and lived it) proudly. Larry could talk to anyone about nearly anything. He recently moved back to upstate NY and reconnected with many old friends. 

He is survived by his children, Katrina (Michael) Houseworth of Trumansburg and Richard (Destiney) Hein of Colorado Springs; 4 grandchildren, Ian (Kiera) Heck, Savanna (Vincent) D’Andrea, Makenna (Dan) LaJoie and Jack Houseworth; 4 great grandchildren, Lou, Brooks, Haven and Bailey; two sisters, Beth and Gina; a brother, Kerry; many nieces and nephews; and his dog Billy. His was predeceased by his parents; sister Lynne; and brothers Thomas and Michael. 

The family will be present to receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home in Trumansburg. A private funeral/burial will take place in spring at Greensprings Natural Cemetery in Newfield. 

In lieu of flowers please, consider a donation to Care First Hospice in Painted Post.