Reverend Lawrence Edward Shinnick

September 10, 1940 - March 13, 2026

Father Lawrence Edward Shinnick entered into Eternal Life on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the age of 85. Fr. Shinnick's life was defined by faith, family and education.

Born September 10, 1940, in Newport, Rhode Island, Larry was the son of Irving Eugene and Mary Elizabeth (O'Donnell) Shinnick.  The family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when Larry was a boy.

Irving and Mary Shinnick, his parents, completed the 6th and 8th grades, respectively, while instilling in Larry a strong desire for learning and education.  Larry was the first in his family to graduate high school from Ft. Lauderdale High.  He then received an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology. Larry also received a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame where he met Carolyn, his future wife.  Additionally, while working as a federal prosecutor in our nation's capital for the Department of Justice, he earned both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Laws in Taxation from George Washington University.

Larry and Carolyn were married on August 5, 1967, in Dallas, Texas. They shared a deep Catholic faith and fostered in each other a steadfast love of God and a special devotion to His Mother, The Blessed Virgin Mary. Larry and Carolyn were blessed with four children and they worked to instill a love of Christ in their family. He worked as a corporate attorney for many years while he and Carolyn raised their children.

After the death of his beloved wife, Carolyn, Larry entered Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. On June 14, 2005, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, by Bishop David E. Foley. Fr. Shinnick served as Parochial Vicar in several parishes in Birmingham and Huntsville and then was assigned as Pastor of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Demopolis, Alabama, as well as three smaller parishes.

Health issues related to Parkinson's disease forced Fr. Shinnick to retire. He devotedly continued to fulfill his priestly vocation in retirement, as his health allowed, as a Confessor and Spiritual Advisor.  He cherished the many friends he was blessed to have from his 31 years of marriage to Carolyn and from his nearly 21 years as a Catholic priest. Fr. Shinnick was deeply grateful to be able to continue to serve his Lord and Savior through his retirement years as a beloved member of St. Charles Parish in Spokane.

Fr. Shinnick was preceded in death by his parents and wife. He is survived by his four children: Michael L. Shinnick (Minde), Daniel P. Shinnick (Maureen Anne), David M. Shinnick (Maureen Kelly), and Kathleen A. Smith (George). He also is survived by twelve grandchildren: Andrew, Kelly, Matthew, Daniel, Molly, Paul, Abigail, John, Caroline, James, David and Anne; and by his dear sister Marie Birney and many treasured nieces and nephews.

The Vigil and Rosary will be held on Friday, March 27 at 7:00pm at St. Charles Catholic Church in Spokane, WA. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Catholic Church in Spokane, WA, on Saturday, March 28 at 11:00am. Burial and Committal will be at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests a donation to a Catholic organization.