GREEN BAY — Fr. Lawrence “Larry” Canavera died on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the age of 86.
Fr. Canavera was born in Niagara, Wisconsin, on January 4, 1939, to parents Joseph J. and Elaine (Watt) Canavera. He attended Niagara High School. He received a master of arts in philosophy on a Basselin Scholarship from The Catholic University of America in 1963. In 1967, he received his master of arts in theology, also from The Catholic University of America.
On May 27, 1967, Fr. Canavera was ordained a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, by Bishop John Grellinger.
Fr. Canavera began his ministry as an assistant at Immaculate Conception Parish in Florence for his first summer. He then served on the faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida until 1976. During this time, Fr. Canavera earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from The Catholic University of America in 1970 and a doctor of ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1981. Fr. Canavera served on the Priest Personnel Board in 1971 and as chairman in 1972.
In 1976, he began full-time work for the diocesan Office of Planning and Services and later as the director of the parish council service and development office. In 1979, he served on the advisory board of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.
In 1991, Fr. Canavera was appointed pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Green Bay, where he served for 15 years. During this time, he also served on the advisory board for parish directors until 1998. In 2006, he was named parochial vicar of St. Patrick Parish, Menasha, as well as St. John the Baptist and St. Mary Parishes, Menasha. In 2010, Fr. Canavera was appointed parochial vicar of St. John Nepomucene Parish, Little Chute, where he served until receiving senior status in 2012.
Fr. Canavera was the devoted founder of the local Friends of Haiti, established in 2000. He remained actively engaged in its mission, fostering compassionate outreach and sustainable support for the people of Haiti. His dedication to ministry exemplified a lifelong commitment to the pastoral care of all people.
Visitation was held at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay, on Wednesday, October 29, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a concluding prayer service at 7 p.m. led by Sr. Helen Keyzer, pastoral ministry, St. Philip the Apostle Parish.
Visitation will then continue at St. Philip the Apostle Church, Green Bay, on Thursday, October 30, from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with a tribute at 10:45 a.m. The funeral liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. Michael Ingold, regional vicar, as celebrant and Fr. Robert Kabat as homilist. Burial will be at a later date in Niagara.