Lawrence Burke Wickett

He a legendary conservationist, devoted family man, and protector of the wild, passed away peacefully at his home on May 5, 2026, at the age of 66. Surrounded by his family and looking out at the lake he loved, Larry took his final breath at 5:45 am, finding peace after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A Life Rooted in the Outdoors

Born in Chatham, Ontario, Larry was adopted into the loving home of the late Marylou and Burke Wickett in Toronto. It was at the family cottage in Brechin that Larry discovered his soul’s calling. His connection to the land was so profound that he attended Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay for the Fisheries and Wildlife program, famously paying for his own education through his work as a trapper.

A Legacy of Conservation

Lawrence Burke Wickett professional life was a testament to his dedication to nature. In his 20s, he began a long career with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, where he became a fierce advocate for the health of the lake. He also worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources, contributing to vital fish netting and spawning programs to ensure the future of Ontario’s aquatic life.

An entrepreneur all his life, Larry first shared his passion for the water as the owner of Early Bird Charters. To those he guided on the water, he was more than just “Captain Lar”; he was a teacher who found immense joy in sharing the secrets of the lake with others. This spirit of innovation led him to start LB Wickett Environmental Consulting, a business he was deeply proud of. He worked across many areas in Southern Ontario, specializing in lakefront and erosion control on Lake Simcoe, where he focused on stabilizing and protecting the shorelines he so dearly valued. In his more recent years, he returned to his roots at Sir Sandford Fleming College, teaching the very Fisheries and Wildlife program that launched his own career, passing on his vast knowledge to the conservationists of tomorrow.

The Magic of Whistler’s Point

From a young age, Larry held a deep and specialized love for a specific property on Whistler’s Point. He spent decades hunting there and voluntarily caring for the land while building a meaningful, lifelong relationship with the owners. He dreamed that one day the property might truly be his. Later in life, Larry reconnected with his biological mother, Shirley Bainbridge; a reunion that brought a “new light” into his world. After Shirley saw the profound connection Larry had to that land, she, too, fell in love with the property. In a beautiful act of love, she purchased the cottage to ensure Larry’s lifelong dream was fulfilled, securing the sanctuary he loved most as a legacy for his children.

The Heart of the Home

Larry and his wife, Sandy, shared 35 incredible years as partners in every sense of the word. They were a true unit; to think of one was to think of the other. Inseparable in all things, they moved through life as a team, whether they were quiet at the lake or exploring the world together. Sandy was his constant, and he was hers.

Larry was a man of quiet strength, a loyal friend, and a “rock” to his children. He was deeply introspective and held a lifelong love for music, often expressing his heart through the songs and poems he wrote. He found great joy in the simple, perfect moments with his family—a quiet night on the boat or waterskiing on a calm evening. Larry lived for the moments they shared, and his strength will be carried forward by those who loved him most.

Family and Legacy

Larry’s legacy of love, strength, and conservation lives on through his wife, Sandy; his biological mother, Shirley Bainbridge; his children, Robert, Sarah, and Westley; and his cherished grandchildren, Alexandria and Ethan. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara. Larry joins his late parents, Marylou and Burke, as well as his siblings Michael and Eleanor, in the great wilderness beyond.

Visitation and service will be held to celebrate Larry’s life on May 23rd at the Mangan Funeral Home, with visitation starting from 11a.m. until time of service at 12 noon.

In Memoriam

In honor of Larry’s lifelong mission, the family requests that donations be made to the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation in his name, ensuring his lifelong commitment to the protection of our natural waters continues for generations to come