Lawrence Paul Zaborowski

Lawrence Paul Zaborowski, known by many who adored him as Major, passed away unexpectedly on July 2, 2019 in Palm Desert, California at the age of 81. Larry was born in Chesterton, Indiana to the late Delores and Robert Zaborowski on December 9, 1937. He was the oldest of three children. He attended Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana and began his football career as a guard on the offensive line. He later attended Arkansas State University on a football scholarship where he was named Arkansas State’s first Academic All-American in 1959. Larry was a member of ROTC and received a regular Army Commission upon his graduation from Arkansas State. In 1960, he reported to Fort Benning, home of the U.S. Army’s Infantry School. Larry’s first training assignment was in Gelnhausen, Germany where he created lifelong friendships. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there and the bond created with his “Gelnhausen Gang”. Although promotable to Captain, Larry elected to resign his commission in the Army in 1963 in order to pursue other opportunities. It was then that he relocated to California. In 1963, he met his wife Gretchen while working as a night assistant at St. Catherine’s Military School. They were later married on May 23, 1964 and he cherished his nearly 50 years of marriage with her. As a testimony to their love and commitment, Larry and Gretchen grew their family to include five children. After leaving the U.S. Army, Larry worked as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director for Garden Grove Unified School District for almost a decade. In 1974, he was chosen to follow in the footsteps of his father in law, Major Charles Schmitt, and carry on as the new Commandant at St. Catherine’s Military School in Anaheim. For nearly three decades Larry served as Commandant with honor and integrity. It was during his tenure there that he cultivated strong relationships with the cadets, their families, and the Dominican Sisters. Larry took pride in laying a foundation of honor, discipline, and respect for the cadets and ultimately watching them carry those traits into adulthood. He and Gretchen built a beautiful relationship at St. Catherine’s bridging a love of family, community, faith, and military tradition. This is where he left his most powerful imprint sharing heartfelt compassion, strong leadership, and his love for the community. Larry retired in 2003 and moved to Palm Desert with his wife Gretchen. He continued to work in education after the move and landed a position as an Equipment Manager for the football team at College of the Desert. In typical Larry fashion, he took care of those players as they were his own and gave them every ounce of energy he had left. Larry was extremely devoted to sharing his love, remaining true to his Catholic faith, and giving back to others in any way he could. Throughout the years, he cherished his time with family, showed pride in our accomplishments, and thrived on our successes. A gift to us all--Larry was an adoring husband, a proud father, a loving grandfather and great-grandfather, a compassionate friend, a dedicated employee, and a powerful leader. The remarkable life he lived and the enduring legacy he left behind will be etched in our memories forever.

Larry is preceded in death by his son Douglas Zaborowski, brother Jack Zaborowski, and wife Gretchen Zaborowski. Larry is survived by his children Chris (daughter) and Jerry White, Julie (daughter) and Harry Freund, Jeff (son) and Wendy Zaborowski, Annie (daughter) and Tom Faris, and Stew Heathcote; his 10 grandchildren Trevor and Kyle White, Mackenzie (granddaughter) and Adam Kordich, Garrett and Madelyn Freund, Ryland and Landon Zaborowski, Katie, Grant, and Grady Faris; one great grandchild Cooper Kordich; and sister Jean Gardner. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at St. Catherine’s Academy located at 215 N. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim. The mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. in St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, followed by an Honors Ceremony, then continuing with a reception in Zaborowski Hall. If you plan on attending the lunch reception, please contact the front office to RSVP at (714) 772-1363. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to St. Catherine’s Academy for the Major Zaborowski Scholarship Fund.