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Larry Lemmel

Date of Death: July 21, 2018

Date of Birth: July 12, 1933

Biography:

BRUNSWICK - Larry Lemmel quietly passed away in the arms of his beloved wife, Jessica Tracy, early Saturday morning, July 21st after a fall and a few hours at Gosnell House Hospice in Scarborough, ME.

Born in Gary, IN in 1933, he attended music conservatory in Chicago. He was a graduate of Westminster Choir College and the Yale University School of Music. After a career in Higher Education and government service he became a management consultant in the financial, banking and research industries.

His signature achievement was in founding Campus-Free College, later called Beacon College. It was established to offer students opportunities for self-directed learning through collaboration. Its central office was in the District of Columbia with offices in Boston. The college offered the Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a Master of Arts. Larry took the school through accreditation in a mere eight years.

A lifelong musician, he was active as a pianist and conductor, most recently of Merry Meeting Singers, a Brunswick-based chamber choir. He was also a faculty member of Mid-Coast Senior College. In Maine, he served as a facilitator and consultant to non-profit organizations such as the Aroostook Band of Mi'Gmaq/Mimac, schools, churches and Maine communities interested in more democratic forms of self-governance. He co-authored, Recreating Democracy: Breathing New Life into American Communities, 1998; and published many articles on community development and democratic decision-making.

Larry was a generous, loving spirit whose life was dedicated to others. He had a quiet strength of purpose and never sought the limelight. He loved the world of ideas, art and architecture, but music was always his passion. A talented pianist, he gave many appreciated recitals at the UU Church and especially loved playing piano four hands with his good friend and fellow musician, Grace Lewis McLaren. He was a wonderful teacher with a loyal following; he freely gave of his time and talents.
He loved his children and grandchildren and enjoyed family gatherings with Jessica's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Jessica Tracy, his two children Susanna Lemmel of Roundup, MT, and her children, Jace and JezAnnett; son David Lemmel of Brookline, MA, his twins, David and Faith; Larry's former wife, Kathryn Work of Portland OR; his stepchildren, Cindy Tripp Fyfe of Dillingham, AK and her partner, Fritz Johnson, her daughter, Rhiannon Weigand and her husband, Shane of Fairbanks, AK ; Jim Tripp and his wife, Pam of Spruce Head and Criehaven Island and their children, Kate Walsh, Krista Tripp and her husband, Dmitri Zaiets; Emily Tripp; John Tripp and his wife Mallory; Janet Hocking and her husband Bryan of Thomaston; Michael Tripp of South Thomaston and his children, Erin Baudnaza and her husband Barry, Alexis Moores and her husband Mickey, and his son, Derrick Tripp.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist church of Brunswick, Maine, One Middle Street, on Sunday, August 5, at 2 p.m.

Donations in his memory to help foster racial justice may be made to the UU Church of Brunswick, P.O. Box 129, Brunswick, ME 04011