Obituary of Larason Guthrie

Larason Guthrie 1934--2019 Larason Guthrie departed Earth peacefully on Monday, March 25 surrounded by his loving children and wife. He succumbed to heart failure at 84 years old, after living many years in a motorized wheelchair, and roaring around town on his scooter, due to peripheral neuropathy. Larason had a wonderful life that included seven years at Yale University, as a scholarship student, studying art and receiving two degrees in art and architecture. He took time out from his studies to serve in Korea and was a top sharpshooter, but being in a war zone changed his heart and, eventually, he became an avid protester and marcher against war and for civil rights. After a career in San Francisco, that included working at Lawrence Halprin & Associates designing large projects such as the Oakland Train Station, Larason chose to spend time with his family; traveling, living simply, and enjoying nature. He found his way to Waldo County about 40 years ago and began designing and building many organic structures including homes, additions, and barns. He also designed the rear addition to the Belfast Coop. His masterwork is the Rothrock House in Thorndike ME. Larason often pointed out that Architect means Master Builder. You may see some of his work, including the Rothrock House, at www.larasonguthrie.com. Larason was also athletic and played high-level tennis as a teen winning two championships at the Sea Bright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club and was also a cricket player at Yale, as well as being an avid biker doing 20-mile spins into his 60s, and never missed the Tour de France. He loved baseball and was so happy to watch Mookie play one more time just days before his passing. Larason was also an avid foodie and had a passion for cooking and creating with high-quality ingredients that he instilled in his family. He was also passionate about theater and was a founding member of the Belfast Maskers, where he met his wife, Susan, and acted in and directed many classic and contemporary plays. He was also the acting coach at the Belfast Area High School for several years, before succumbing to neuropathy. He attributed his love of theatre to his wonderful mother Margery, a single mother who worked as a buyer for Lord & Taylors in New York City and provided him with matinee passes to many Broadway show during the 1950s. When the Belfast Maskers began, they produced plays in an old church on Court Street downtown and Larason strongly encouraged them to buy that church, instead, they rented the old railroad station on the waterfront and Larason designed and build a beloved proscenium theater there, and later rebuilt the theater to accommodate other styles of productions. When the Maskers recently purchased that original church as their permanent home, he was delighted. Larason is survived by his wife of 26 years, Susan Read Guthrie, his sons Larason E. Guthrie of Belfast ME and Sazi Guthrie, and his wife Katie, of Mission Viejo CA, his daughter, Leslie Guthrie Tobia, and her husband Britt, of San Clemente CA, and his beloved grandchildren, Mason and Kayla Tobia and Sage Guthrie. He was also a caring and generous stepdad to Sazi's sister, Shanti Parsons of Venice Beach CA as well as to Susan's son's, Will Molina, and his wife Tori, of Searsport ME and Barry Schiller of Belfast ME. And he was a special grandpa to Alexsis Allenwood also of Belfast ME. Larason also appreciated and loved the mothers of his children and former partners, first wife Joan Anderson mother to Larason and Leslie and second wife Yenempsah mother of Sazi and Shanti. Life brings many surprises. Several years ago Larason made the happy discovery, through DNA, of an unknown half-sister, Susanne Wisyanski, and her husband Don, of Dallas TX. This miraculous and magical connection brought them both a great deal of joy and enlarged our family by two. He also found out he was Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian (Viking!) and a bit Mediterranean. In the end, the entire family greatly appreciated our Hospice Sherpa friends that made Larason's passing as smooth, joyful and gentle as possible. Because of hospice, we will now all have the choice to have a peaceful, gentle and dignified ending. Even if you don't have family near, the family of hospice will surround you with love and gentle wishes. We are so grateful to them and if you are able, please make a donation to: https://hospicevolunteersofwaldocounty.org There will be no service or memorial. This summer we hope to dedicate a bench to Larason near or at the Belfast Coop. Many thanks to our community for their outpouring of love for Larason.