Lawrence Francis McIntyre, Pedigree

The pedigree chart of Lawrence McIntyre shows all of his known ancestors are from Ireland, in particular the counties of Sligo and Mayo.  Unlike Lawrence's wife Helen, whose ancestors immigrated in the mid-1850s, Lawrence's parents were the immigrants, coming to Chicago in the early 1900s and marrying there in 1910.  During the late 1890s and early 1900s, the US experienced its greatest immigration with an average of one million immigrants arriving yearly.  Lawrence's parents were in that wave.

Click on image to enlarge.

Source: The Master Genealogist database, Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin, printed February 19, 2012.

Lawrence F. McIntyre short history

January 2, 2013 is Lawrence Francis McIntyre's 100th birthday.  In celebration of his centennial, some bits of information about him, a few written by his wife, Helen, and photos are presented.

Lawrence grew up on the Westside of Chicago, the second oldest of five children born of Ellen Walsh and Thomas J. McIntyre.  He attended Resurrection grammar school and St. Mel high school.  As a youth, he sold newspapers at the corner of Laramie and Madison.  Helen remembers him as a young boy at the newspaper stand: "I would walk by on my way to the Jewel and he would always say 'Hello'". 

When she was asked to describe what Larry was like when she met him again in her teens, she wrote "Typically Irish, nice looking, full of fun, great personality but actually too short for me but I didn't care after awhile.  He had the prettiest blue Irish eyes, long black lashes, [and] black curly hair."

Helen tells of the proposal: "One night I was over at Larry's house at 4737 W. Gladys ave.  I guess his Mother had invited me over for dinner.  It was a warm evening so we sat out on the small porch outside the living room. It was on the second floor.  He kissed me a few times then said he wanted to marry me only he wasn't making enough money at the moment but he would work hard and get ahead and then we'd be married."

Larry and Helen married at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on November 26, 1937 when he was 24 and she was 23.   They went to Lake Lawn Lodge for a few days after the wedding for a short honeymoon.  Their first apartment was a furnished apartment located at 5015 W. Washington Boulevard.

In 1938 their first child, Laurence Francis was born and in 1946, their daughter, Elaine Marie was born.

Larry had many jobs, but the two he spent his most years at were with Cruver Manufacturing Company and Weil Pump. His children were the recipients of many wonderful plastic toys from Cruver including small plastic cowboys and Indians, plastic playing cards and dice in all sizes.

He retired from Weil Pump twice. 

Happy 100th Birthday, Mom

Helen May Sullivan McIntyre was born on March 11, 1914.  Today, she would have been 100 years old. Enjoy a photo video of her life.

The First 90 Years

Mom's "The First 90 Years: The Poetry of Helen Sullivan McIntyre" has been accepted for inclusion in the Library of Congress collection.  If you are ever in Washington, DC, stop by the library and take a look at the book.  The call number is: PS3613.C58/F57 2004. I'm thrilled to see it there, it now will be accessible for generations to come.

For one of the first poems written by Helen, click here.

Images courtesy: Elaine Beaudoin

Christmas, 1970

Even through Helen and Larry McIntyre only had a 900-foot, one-bedroom condo, they managed to invite the entire family over for Christmas in 1970.  Twenty family members joined in the holiday celebrations. This was the last time we would all share Christmas together.


Larry always enjoyed taking videos of family gatherings, but the cameras were not as sophisticated as they are today so the quality is poor, but the memories are very rich.

Included in the video are Helen McIntyre, hostess; Larry, Patti, Cathy, Colleen, and Cara McIntyre; Tom, Elayne, John, Joe and Bill Sullivan; Tom and Margaret Sullivan; Larry and Elaine Watson; Bob Watson; Ruth Rooney; Mary Garrity and Blanche Elliott. Larry McIntyre, Sr., was the camera man!

Video: Larry McIntyre, Sr.

The "Family" at Sears

It must be in the family blood -- two cousins, Joseph R. Sullivan and Catherine T. McIntyre, modeled for Sears Roebuck newspaper advertisements.  The ads appeared nearly three decades apart.

Joe is Helen Sullivan's second cousin once removed and Cathy is Helen's granddaughter.

September 19, 1939, Newspaper Unknown but most likely Chicago Daily News or Sun Times.

Joseph R. Sullivan

Either from Sunday, May 14, 1967 in the Chicago Sun-Times or the Chicago Daily News, Tuesday, May 16, 1967

Catherine T. McIntyre

Joe and Cathy are third cousins, once removed.

1939 Ad, courtesy of Joseph R. Sullivan
1967 Ad, courtesy of Helen M. McIntyre

Happy 100th Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday Dad –

It is hard to believe you were born 100 years ago today.  A lot has happened with the family since you left us in 1995 so I thought I’d take this opportunity to give you a quick update.

You now have six beautiful great granddaughters.  Mom had the opportunity to meet them all, she can tell you about each one.  Their mothers have all turned into lovely young women and great moms themselves, each with a kind and loving husband and a fine extended family.  Each granddaughter still lives in the Chicago metropolitan area allowing all of us to get together on holidays or for special events.

Remember how you used to take your three granddaughters down to the beach when they came to visit?  Well the six great granddaughters enjoy the beach as much as their Moms did.   When all of the families were here this past Thanksgiving, a highlight of the visit was a walk along the lake.  Despite the cool temperatures, they spent quite a bit of time trekking through the sand and taking photos of each other with their cell phones.  Perhaps you saw the pictures posted on Facebook?

Your two children have also had a few changes in their lives, both marrying wonderful spouses. 

Do you recall how we all enjoyed Mom making her great pork and beef chop suey with sides of steaming rice, jiggly green Jell-O with cherries and crispy croissants for special occasions?  She left me the recipe for her “Irish” chop suey so I might just make up a batch in celebration of your centennial.

Have a great birthday and give Mom a hug from us all.

Love,

Elaine

P.S.: I found this photo in Mom’s album, you can show it to your friends who remember you when!

Larry McIntyre, c1937, Laramie and Washington, Chicago