Larry was eighth born of 16 siblings. We lived on 20th Street in West Oak Lane until he was two, when we moved to Gowen Avenue in Mt. Airy. Larry went to Holy Cross Grade School, and Cardinal Dougherty High School. During his third and fourth year of high school, he took baking classes at Randolph Technical High School in Philly.
Larry was interviewed and written up by the Philadelphia Daily News food writer, the Philadelphia Style Mag by author and beer journalist – Lew Bryson, the Chestnut Hill Local, and the Germantown Courier for the menu he created and executed at McMenamin’s Tavern, and his baking skills at Jamison’s and Roller’s Bakery. His chicken wings won a 2001 Best of Philly Award by the Philadelphia Magazine, and Lew Bryson named McMenamin’s “Best Food in a Philly Bar 2004” for Larry’s ‘impressive bistro menu.’
Larry enjoyed creating the “comfort food” menu and home-made soups, stews and chili he offered at McMenamin’s, but delighted in surprising his customers with offerings such as escargots in puff pastry, shrimp and crab manicotti, filet mignon served on a nest of fried leeks, and apple tarte tatin.
But Larry’s first career love was baking. The cinnamon buns he made from our mother’s recipe became famous, and loyal customers followed him from bakery to bakery for them. Once you had Larry’s cinnamon buns, no others would do.
Larry had many passions in his life – fishing, bicycling, most music, sharp knives, watches, pretty girls, silver jewelry, black clothes, Marilyn Monroe, maps, collecting fishing rods, interesting art pieces, unusual boxes and antique tools, growing plants from seeds (he started a grapefruit tree!), and deviling bureaucrats.
He was fiercely loyal to his friends. He was very generous to restaurant and bar workers, and he listened so intently when you talked to him – you felt like the most important person he knew. He could party hardy, and loved to dance.
But the most important thing in Larry’s life was our family. He would do anything for us, and often did. You barely had to ask, and Larry would provide if he possibly could. He treasured each and every one of us, and could recognize our hearts’ desire sometimes before we did. He appreciated and celebrated each of our unique talents and characteristics, and was our biggest supporter in our endeavors and struggles.
