John Larkin Jr.

John E. Larkin Jr. died of cardiac arrest in St. Agnes Hospital on April 5, 2009.

The Catonsville resident was 71.

He attended Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy, then graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in 1955.

Mr. Larkin maintained a close connection with his teachers, members of the Xaverian Brothers, throughout his life.

He followed generations of Larkins into the seafood industry, and moved the business to a historic Eutaw Street building in the 1960s.

Baltimore's Architectural Advisory Board praised Mr. Larkins' "imaginative and tasteful renovation" of a nearly 200-year-old building adjoining the Palmer House restaurant.

"Jack seemed to be a pacesetter within the industry," said a friend, Bill Devine, of Faidley Seafood in Lexington Market. "After Miller Brothers was torn down, he had the only raw bar until I put mine in."

Mr. Larkin later focused on a wholesale seafood business on Dukeland Street.

He and partners William King Jr. and Calvert Tolley set up a crab processing plant in Palacios, Texas.

Mr. Larkin received an "Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay" award for advocating for the bay's environmental health.

Proud of his Irish heritage, he belonged to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and enjoyed traveling to Ireland with his wife.

Pastor Christopher Whatley said Mr. Larkin "dealt with the illness he faced with remarkable courage, intertwined with a beautiful sense of humor."

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in St. Mark Roman Catholic Church.

John Larkin III preceded his father in death.

Surviving relatives include his spouse of 46 years, Corinne (Lusco) Larkin; sons Michael Larkin, with partner Shelly, of Red Lion, Pa.; Sean Larkin with wife Carrie, of Finksburg; Kevin Larkin, with partner Nancy, of Catonsville, and Katie Larkin, his daughter-in-law.

Also, 11 grandchildren -- Jed, Cassidy, Cody, Jessie, Jamie, Molly, Patrick, Savannah, Christopher, Adam and Ava; plus Katherine Larkin Konen, his sister.

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