Larry Fetzko

Larry Fetzko, 87, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on November 11, 1938, in Yonkers, New York, Larry was the son of Stephen and Anna Fetzko. He remained a proud New Yorker throughout his life. Though his military and civilian career took him across the country, he never lost his New York roots, his love of family, or his passion for baseball. Baseball was the defining passion of Larry's life. As a young man, he was an accomplished baseball player in Yonkers and continued playing during his service in the United States Air Force. Throughout adulthood, he remained active in competitive Senior league softball and played well into his retirement years for Sun City, Roseville, and Sun City Lincoln Hills. After injuries and two rotator cuff surgeries brought his playing days to a close, Larry stayed connected to the game by serving as an umpire for the Lincoln Hills Senior men's softball league. A devoted fan of New York sports, Larry faithfully cheered for the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, and Rangers. His family moved frequently throughout the country during his military and Department of Defense civilian career, living in New Jersey, Missouri, Texas, and California, but Larry's loyalty to his New York teams never wavered. Some of Stephen's fondest memories were attending Yankees games with his father whenever the team came to town. Whether at the ballpark or gathered around the television at home, Larry and his family could often be found watching his favorite teams. Larry loved having his grandsons attend his games and also watching their Little League games. In a fitting final chapter, Larry spent his last afternoon watching a Yankees game with his son, sharing one more game together. Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 8, 1956, at the age of 17 and proudly served two enlistments. He later continued his service through a long career as a federal civil servant supporting Air Force and Marine Corps installations. His dedication to his country spanned decades and provided a steady example of duty, commitment, and perseverance for his family. Faith was a cornerstone of Larry's life. Raised in the Catholic Church, he attended Catholic schools, served as an altar boy, and remained a devoted Catholic throughout his life. Larry deeply valued family and friendships. Though life and geography often kept everyone apart, he cherished his extended family and lifelong friends in New York and New Jersey and especially enjoyed the opportunities to visit, share stories, and spend time together whenever he could. Those who knew him will fondly remember his distinctive greeting, which often made "hello" sound more like "yellow," a simple trademark that always brought a smile. Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 35 years, Linda Newton Fetzko. He is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Nelda Fetzko of Lincoln, California; his daughter, Cindy Shannon of Rocklin, California; his son, Stephen Fetzko of Moraga, California; his grandchildren, Dillon Shannon of Reno, Nevada, Evan Shannon of Denver, Colorado, Stewart Fetzko of Chicago, Illinois, and Oliver Fetzko of Moraga, California; his sister, Barbara Wright of Boca Raton, Florida; and extended family members, and dear friends. Larry will be remembered for his devotion to family, his service to his country, his unwavering faith, his love of New York, and above all, his lifelong passion for baseball. Whether he was playing, umpiring, attending a Yankees game, or cheering from his living room, the game remained one of the great joys of his life. A funeral service celebrating Larry's life will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.at Rocklin Cemetery in Rocklin, California.

Larry Fetzko

November 11, 1938 - May 31, 2026