Lawrence W. Weir dies at 87 in Los Angeles, CA

Lawrence “Larry” Weir passed away in his sleep as a result of heart failure on the evening of July 11, 2012 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills.

Talented architect, builder, designer, gifted singer, and father of nine, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maria Weir, and his nine children and eight grandchildren. 

Son of Patrick Weir and Stella Bourgeois of Chicago, Illinois, Larry was born in Chicago, Illinois on  November 5, 1924, and raised in Chicago.

In 1939, following the lead of his three brothers, Jack, Bobby and Patrick, he volunteered for the Navy, where he served for nearly seven years during World War II. On July 1, 1946, he returned to civilian life.

While in the service, he was stationed in San Diego for a brief period of time, where he first fell in love with the abundant beauty of California, and he decided that when the war was over, California would be his home.

In 1946, following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he moved to California, settling near San Diego in Encinitas. With his brother Jack, he ran a gas station and body shop. With an acre of land, a $3000 loan,  and some adobe bricks, the brothers erected their first “mud” house, and in doing so, learned the art and science of adobe construction. They then sold the house for several thousand dollars, and the brothers quickly realized they'd launched a new career. They immediately built six more homes, and each was built with traditional adobe construction techniques the brothers had mastered, making their own bricks of sand and clay, mixed with water, and dried in the sun.

By 1947, they officially established Weir Brothers Construction. They moved to Escondido in 1951, where they had access of a vast supply of adobe in what is now Kit Carson Park. Weir Brothers swiftly established themselves as one of the premier luxury new homebuilders and remodelers in Southern California, employing 80 people. They built many private homes, including those for movie-stars Jack Haley and Ramon Navarro.

Though known for their unprecedented use of adobe in modern construction, Weir Brothers homes are also distinguished by other design techniques. Long before it became popular to do so, they used recycled lumber in their buildings, such as old train trestles, wooden piers and wagon wheels. Both brothers had distinct styles; Jack’s were mostly square, while Larry’s depended on rounded, circular patterns like turrets. In 1964, Larry split off from the company to start Larry Weir Adobe, which went on to design and build numerous exceptional adobe homes throughout the Southland.

“He was green before anyone knew what green was,” said his son Michael Damian, in reference to his use of recycled material. “And he was one of the first to really include the owner in the design and construction of their home. They would make the adobe bricks right there on the property with the owners before their homes were even built.”

Larry always loved to sing, and he had a strong and lovely tenor voice.  As a kid, he toyed with the idea of becoming a professional opera singer but felt it would be too much work, so he decided singing in church choirs was more fun. It was while singing with the St. Joseph's Cathedral choir in San Diego that he met and fell in love with the beautiful Italian-American church organist and choir director Maria Ravettino.

But the first time that Maria and Larry met didn’t go so well. He showed up at the church to audition for the choir, but Maria was busy listening to a recording of an Easter performance by the choir and wanted Larry to wait quietly. Unused to being so disregarded, Larry turned around and left. However, he couldn’t stay away for too long, and when he went back, not only was he accepted into the choir, he fell in love with his future wife.

Larry and Maria were married there at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral on June 23, 1951. They had nine children: Larry Weir, Maria Werth, Estelle Harrison, Thomas Weir, Christine Herms, Catherine Le Bell, Theresa Moller, Michael Damian, and Joani Weir. They have  eight grandchildren.

All nine children followed in their parents’ footsteps and become musicians.  In 1974, eldest brother Larry recruited his siblings into a band first called The Family, which evolved into The Weirz. They had a local radio hit with the song “Gypsies from Bonsall,” and in 1976 released their first album, The Weirz. In 1983 they signed with Curb Records and appeared numerous times on TV shows, and toured around the world. Their brother Michael Damian signed a solo deal with A&M Records, and The Weirz toured as his opening act and back-up band.

Larry, their father, briefly considered managing the band, but decided they were unmanageable when they rejected his idea that they do country music, wanting to play rock and roll. So Larry gave his children business advice and was also the first and most generous investor for the band.

Larry was known for his generosity with others, sharing business advice, mentoring, and providing seed money to several associates who started businesses. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and lively voice whenever recounting a story of the past or singing traditional Irish songs to his family members. A wonderfully gifted storyteller, he delighted in telling captivating stories to his children and friends of his days growing up in Chicago. He was also a singer of real prowess and at his 61st wedding anniversary, he performed a rousing version of “The Irish Jubilee,” remarkably remembering all the words of this epic song.

All are welcome to come celebrate the long and joyous life of Larry, along with his family and closest friends, at the various services that will be held this weekend. 

A  Rosary service and open casket viewing will be held on Friday July 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm. at St. Victor's Catholic Church, 8634 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90039. The funeral service will take place the very next morning on Saturday July 21 at 10:00  am also at St. Victor’s.

Immediately following the funeral service, Larry will be brought to his final resting place for burial, the historic Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.

Larry’s family would like to extend countless thanks and prayers to all who have shown their condolences and support during this time, as well as during Larry's life on earth. A very special thanks to the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. The Sisters opened both their independent and assisted-care living facilities, Santa Theresita and Avila Gardens in Duarte, CA to Larry and Maria during the time of illness preceding his death. Their love and care afforded Larry five more months of health and quality time shared with his beloved wife, Maria.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations, in honor of Lawrence "Larry" Weir, to:

The Wounded Warrior Project

P.O. Box 758517

Topeka, KS 66675

(897) 768-6887