Larry L. Sweney Jr., 42, of Niagara Falls, NY died unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday January 3, 2010. Born in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of Carol A. (Tanzella) (Paul D.) Wright of Niagara Falls, NY, and Larry L. (Marcia) Sweney Sr. of Grand Island, NY.

Larry attended local schools and graduated from the former Trott Vocational High School in 1985, and from Bryant and Stratton Business Institute, Buffalo, NY in 1988, where he was on the Dean's list and hired as a teacher's assistant until receiving his first job placement. Larry was employed as an engineering technician at various locations locally as well as in Tennessee and Florida. These included Tiger Performance in West Seneca, NY; Boykin and Associates in Lebanon, TN; American TV, Technical Arts both in Orlando, FL; SB Communications Group, ABD Lighting both in Buffalo, NY; Lifetime Service Center in Williamsville, NY and GP:50 on Grand Island, NY. He also worked as the broadcasting engineer and electronics technician for MRN Radio (The Voice of NASCAR) in Daytona Beach, FL where he developed friendships with many of the NASCAR drivers. Larry also held a black belt in karate and instructed students in the arts of Tang Soo Do and Chun Kuk Do (The Chuck Norris System) at Presti Karate Center in Niagara Falls, NY.

Larry enjoyed going to museums, camping, hiking, bicycling and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. An ardent reader, Larry collected first edition novels and particularly liked reading about American, Niagara Frontier and WNY history. Another of his favorite pastimes was spending quiet times reading his bible and playing many of the guitars he collected throughout the years. Larry also had a great love for his family's Dalmatian, Layla.

In addition to his parents, Larry is survived by one brother Jerry D. Sweney of Niagara Falls, NY; one step-brother Christopher (Jeri) Wright of Grand Island, NY; one step-sister SSGT. Amy (Wright) Busman, USAF of Clearview, FL; his maternal grandmother, Louisa (Ferrusi) (late Philip) Tanzella of Niagara Falls, NY; his paternal grandparents, Homer and Mary Sweney of Huntington, WV; his aunts and uncles, Rick (Jean) Sweney of the Town of Niagara, NY; Dan (Amy) Sweney of Lewiston, NY; David Wright of Ashfork, AZ; Gloria Campman of Henderson, NV; Laurel (Gene) Cosgrove of Lockport, NY; Gloria (Joel) Cukierski of Canada, and several great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of best friends.

Friends may call on Wednesday January 6th from 10 – 11 a.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor James Cassidy officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.