Larry William Hutzell

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Larry William Hutzell on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the age of 84. Larry was born on November 10, 1940, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, to parents William and Ruth Hutzell, who preceded him in passing. Larry and his younger brother Delmas were raised by their parents in Lavansville where they were typical boys who loved sports and the outdoors. Delmas survives his brother and remained Larry’s best friend throughout his entire life. 

Larry attended Somerset High School where he was a star athlete and as a senior in 1957, he led the football team to its first undefeated season in school history. That season, Larry scored 139 points, more than any other high school player in Pennsylvania. This feat earned Larry All-State honors from the Associated Press as a running back in 1957, and that same year, he was also named to The Sporting News 1957 National High School All-American Football Team.

Larry went to college at California University of Pennsylvania and earned a degree in Teaching.  At “Harvard on the Mon,” Larry continued to star as a football player and after graduating in 1962, he was invited to tryout with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL). Larry declined the offer and instead chose to pursue a career in teaching, which would become his lifelong passion.

Larry married Rebecca Margaret Lambert and raised their two children Molly and Lucas in Ligonier. In 1967 he began his career at Valley School of Ligonier. Teaching at Valley School was the highlight of his career. During his 33 years at Valley, Larry coached soccer, baseball, lacrosse, basketball and wrestling. He taught math, history, and social studies and even played the piano. Larry was a mentor to many students and was famous for using quotes to instill values in those he taught with two of his favorites being  “Responsibility is the Key to Success” and “With Freedom comes Responsibility.”

Larry and Carol Balla Tito married in 1984 and brought together their two families, Jeffrey Tito, Molly Hutzell Newton, Jennifer Tito, Pamela Harney, and Lucas Hutzell, two grandchildren Lauren Tito and JB Tito, and many family pets. After retiring in 2000 from Valley, Larry and Carol moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where they loved the beach, having their grandchildren spend summers with them and entertaining friends and family. The two returned to Ligonier in 2019 to be closer to family.

Larry was a faithful Catholic, had a great sense of humor, loved music, old movies, family, traveling with the grandchildren, the Steelers, gardening, hunting with his beloved dog Sadie, and became a Blackstone Master Griller. Most of all, he loved his wife, Carol. Larry and Carol were married over 40 years and truly could not live without each other, passing just six days apart. He leaves behind the family that he and Carol brought together, along with his brother Delmas Hutzell, his wife Carol, and their children Carolyn, Courtney, and Christine. 

Larry’s life was celebrated in a private service at Holy Trinity Church in Ligonier. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests that if you desire to do something in his/their honor - please donate to The Valley School of Ligonier in honor of Mr & Mrs Larry Hutzell.