Claude Frank Larreur

Claude Frank Larreur of Cornelius, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the age of 87. After several months of declining health, Claude died peacefully at the home of his daughter Sandy and son-in-law Timothy McDonough of Denver, NC. Claude was always surrounded by his children and grandchildren during the many weeks that preceded his death. 

Claude was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on July 11, 1935 to Roger Larreur and Germaine Bayard. The oldest of three siblings, in 1955 he applied and was awarded a scholarship through the Italian Embassy to attend college at the Naval Academy in Livorno, Italy. During this time he met and married the love of his life, Cosima Maria Negro of Bari, Italy. In 1960 upon graduating as a Navy Officer, the two returned to Haiti where he served as 2nd Lieutenant for the Haitian Coast Guard. The two welcomed their first child Roger in 1961 while residing in Port-au-Prince. In 1963 unfortunate circumstances within the Haitian government required they flee Haiti for the United States. They welcomed two more children, Alexandra (Sandy) in 1967 and Rudolf (Rudy) in 1970. At the age of 35, Claude suffered a massive heart attack. Despite the setback in health, he worked very hard to be a good provider for his family.  He and Maria persevered through many more health, financial, and language barriers as they worked to build their new life. Ultimately, Claude enjoyed a challenging and successful career as the Director of Tourism for the Organization of American States in Washington, DC. He spent many years teaching and working in South & Latin America which brought him great joy. Claude was also an enthusiastic entrepreneur and an accomplished professor; speaking six languages fluently. He could be counted on as a trusted mentor to colleagues and good friend to so many throughout his tenure and life. Quick to smile and have a chat about anything at all, Claude was optimistic, loving, generous and kind to anyone lucky to call him a friend. 

Upon retirement, Claude and Maria moved to Cornelius, NC to be close to Sandy, Tim, Rudy, and their grandchildren. They often traveled to Florida and Indiana to enjoy quality time with Roger, Kelly, Max and Marco.

In addition to his parents, Claude is preceded in death by his wife, Cosima Maria Negro Larreur and his brother, Guy Henri Larreur. 

He is survived by his son, Roger Larreur and daughter-in-law Kelly Larreur; son, Rudolf (Rudy) Larreur; daughter, Alexandra (Sandy) McDonough and son-in-law-Timothy McDonough; grandchildren, Maximillian Larreur and wife Brenn Larreur, Marco Larreur and wife Megan Larreur, Sean McDonough and wife Sarah McDonough, Olivia McDonough and husband Federico Colonna, Madeleine McDonough, Matthew McDonough, Haley Larreur, Dominic Larreur, Adrian Larreur; great-granddaughter, Penelope Claudia Colonna; sister; Monique Larreur Gors and brother-in-law Kevin Gors; as well as sisters-in-law; Rosemarie Larreur, Natalia Nabavian and husband Morteza Nabavian, Valeria Negro, Janna Negro, and Franca Negro. 

The family will host a celebration of life luncheon for Claude on Saturday, April 29th from 1-5 at Clark’s Kitchen inside The Foundry 310 Exploration Blvd., Denver, NC 28037 

Please rsvp to Sandy via text @704-206-9700 or via email @ sandy.mcdonough@gmail.com

Rather than purchasing memorial trees or flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Claude's memory to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/srch/st-jude-donation.html?sc_dcm=58700008008698866&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&amount=x&ds_rl=1290690&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQC1F8NauJoMa2QyEU25ofWI7B3lHtJ0-0aDGWzOOe4s47nfWwM6ncBoCXUQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Please post your photographs and sentiments here so that we may all share in the wonderful memory of our Claude, Claudio, ChoCho, Zio, Nonno & Dad. 

The Larreur family is under the care of Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.KepnerFH.com.