THOMASTON — Lars Houtsma went home to the Lord on April 19, 2021.

He was born April 21, 1958 in Arlington, Virginia, the son of Sara and Garry Houtsma, and moved to Thomaston, ME when he was 15 years old. He graduated from Georges Valley High School in 1977.

Lars wore many different hats during his life. He enjoyed tinkering with mechanical things, and there was not an engine he couldn’t fix. He had a passion for cars, motorcycles, and driving fast. It would make him laugh to scare his sister with his driving antics.

Lars helped care for his mother and father in their later years. After his parents passed, Lars took pride in presiding at the head of the table, as the family patriarch, during holiday dinners. At Christmas time his nieces would beg him to make, and look forward to, his Christmas cookies and the all-time favorite saltines, caramel and chocolate treats.

Lars enjoyed keeping his friends and loved ones up to date on coming weather events, by tracking, reporting, and wishing safe travels, for those having to drive in a snow storm. He missed his calling as a meteorologist.

The Patriots were Lars’s team and he was a faithful fan. He also liked 70s classic Christmas movies, and would call to let us know when they were playing on television, so we wouldn’t miss them. Albert Finney’s Scrooge was his favorite. In his later years, with his white beard and hair, children would approach Lars with their Christmas wishes, and he was happy to play the part.

Lars was predeceased by his parents, Garry and Sara Houtsma; and will be remembered by his sister, Cinda Schulberg; nephew, Kyle Schulberg (Deming); nieces, Cinda Fish (Tyler) and Bethany Schulberg; along with great nieces and nephews, Sara, Evelyn, Hugh and Alan; and friends Carmen Lavertu, Bill Robinson, and Megan Lambert.

Lars’s family will honor his life privately.

Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Thomaston has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences visit Lar’s Book of Memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.