FOREVER A HERO: Hospice of Health First Honors 94-Year-Old Air Force Veteran Arthur ‘Lou’ Larmay

presented with a certificate of honor, a volunteer-stitched red, white and blue blanket

WATCH VIDEO: Hospice of Health First – Honoring Arthur Lou Larmay on Vimeo

At 94, jazz lover and Air Force veteran ‘Lou’ Larmay reflects on a life of music, mischief, and meaning as he’s honored by Hospice of Health First

BREVARD COUNTY • INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA — In March, local musician Arthur “Lou” Larmay was belting out a jazz duet at Heidi’s Jazz Club, singing the type of music he’d fallen hard for after scooping up one of his sister’s big band records as a child.

A month later, he and his loved ones were stunned to learn Lou had stage 4 colon cancer. After selecting Hospice of Health First for his care following the diagnosis, Lou’s family shared details of his proud military service with the Hospice team.

Soon after, caregivers and loved ones joined together to honor Lou’s service  to the U.S. Air Force through Hospice’s veterans honor ceremony program, “Forever a Hero.” 

With only a hint of medical support by his side, you’d never know Lou, a local jazz fanatic, is living on borrowed time. But he’s completely at peace with it. 

“I made it to 94 – what a surprise!” Lou said with a gregarious grin spreading across his face. “I’ve had a wonderful life.”

Recently, Lou’s loved ones, neighbors,  retired U.S. Air Force Col. Norm Fox, Hospice of Health First caregivers and volunteers met at Lou’s house to honor him for his service during the Korean War, where he was stationed in England.

He was presented with a certificate of honor, a volunteer-stitched red, white and blue blanket, and a folded American flag as a tribute to his service. Family and friends looked on with happiness, gratitude and a few tears. 

“I’m very proud to hold this,” Lou said, before quipping, “You didn’t check on my past record, did you? Because I’d be in a lot of trouble.”

As a dozen or so people converged on Lou’s Indialantic home, he was, as family says, the life of the party. After the ceremony and a prayer, Lou was eager to tell tales about being drafted into the Air Force, working in the health insurance industry, and, of course, his adoration of jazz, which began with one of his kid sister’s big band records. 

“That started with my sister’s records and a Dizzy Gillespie tune I couldn’t stop playing,” Lou reflected. 

After four years in the military, Lou dabbled in art school, hospitality, and found his calling in health insurance consulting, a career that spanned 30 years. 

He danced at the Palladium, performed comedy and jazz, and even auditioned for “The Ed Sullivan Show.” While he didn’t win, his passion to perform grew stronger.

As Lou reflected on his life, he fondly recalled his many memories, including Broadway shows and baseball games with his family, including his two children, Michele Birdwell and Guy Larmay, as well as his wife, Jeanette. Lou said she was “beautiful” and passed away 12 years ago on Christmas Eve.

While he misses his late wife, Lou continues to enjoy every moment. He’s even dating.

“You see how he is now – a sheer piece of joy,” Michele said. She recalled her dad taking her to the theater as a kid.

“He used to go take us to movies I’m sure we weren’t supposed to see when we were young,” Michele reflected with a smile. “He took the whole neighborhood to see ‘Jaws’ when we lived in Massachusetts, and no one would go in the water after that.” 

Samara Zitnick is Michele’s neighbor who has become a family friend. Living here 23 years, she’s come to know – and enjoy – the company of Lou, her dear friend’s father. 

“He loves to be the life of the party,” Samara said. “And he’s really inspired me to live more in the moment. He just loves life so much.”

But his love for jazz will continue to beat as long as his heart does. As will his zest for life. When asked if he had any life advice for younger generations, he was eager to share his wisdom.

“You’ve got to make yourself happy,” Lou said. “You’ve got to do it yourself and tell yourself, ‘Do this.’ Don’t just let yourself sit around. Always have something on your mind to do. Some kind of a goal, no matter if it’s big or small. If you have a goal all the time, then you’re going to get by.”

Licensed to serve since 1985, Hospice of Health First is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 321.434.1744 or visit hf.org/hospice for more information. 

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