Lawrence J. Gage of Farmington Hills passed away on March 5 at the age of 83.

Larry was born April 2, 1940, in Detroit as the only child of Helen and John Gajewski. He graduated from St. Ladislaus High School in Hamtramck, earned his BA in psychology from Wayne State University, and a masters degree in counseling and student services from Southern Illinois University.

In 1967, Larry was a charter counseling faculty member of the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College, where he continued to serve until his retirement in 2007. During his career, he earned a doctorate in education and psychology from Wayne State and was a leading presenter, counselor, and educator on learning disabilities. He was a champion for those who experience different learning needs, ADHD, or who are on the autism spectrum, and impacted the lives of countless students over the years.

Larry had a lifelong love of Detroit sports teams, especially hockey. He was the founding faculty director of the OCC hockey team in 1967, which went on to be the first Michigan community college ice hockey program to become a varsity sport.

He enjoyed all kinds of music, especially jazz, as well as theater and the performing arts. Larry was an avid reader and always had at least a few books going at a time. The First Presbyterian Church of Farmington was central to his life, where he served in a variety of leadership capacities over the decades.

Larry is survived by his wife, Kathy Gage, son John Gage (Heather) and daughter Meghan Gage-Finn (Matt) and five grandchildren, his beloved cousin Lorraine, niece Madelyn and nephew Terry.

A service of celebration will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, 26165 Farmington Rd, 2pm, Friday, March 15, with a light reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Larry's memory may be offered to the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, and the Oakland Community College Foundation.

Please keep the Gage family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.