{"id":68061,"date":"2025-12-11T23:36:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T23:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/68061\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T23:36:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T23:36:17","slug":"lawrence-larry-anderson-lived-a-life-dedicated-to-human-rights-culture-and-staten-island-his-death-at-59-stunned-those-worlds-life-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/68061\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawrence \u2018Larry\u2019 Anderson lived a life dedicated to human rights, culture and Staten Island. His death at 59 stunned those worlds. | Life Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2013 Larry Anderson was always drawn to the stage.<\/p>\n

He made his theatrical debut at age 9 as Winthrop in a Staten Island Civic Theater production of \u201cThe Music Man\u201d and performed with other local groups in \u201cBye Bye Birdie,\u201d \u201c1776\u201d and \u201cGypsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

His mother, an actor and dancer, inspired a love for the performing arts that would continue through Larry\u2019s adult life and into his leadership role at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. <\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson (Photo\/Lance J. Reha, lancejrehaphotography.com)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

His death at 59 on Nov. 30 in Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan, left a wide circle of family and friends mourning a passionate community leader and longtime advocate for Staten Island\u2019s cultural and LGBTQIA+ communities. <\/p>\n

The loss has especially impacted Snug Harbor, where as director of performing arts and public programs for 10 years, he managed two theaters, three outdoor performance spaces and more than 650 events, drawing more than 134,000 people to the historic campus in Livingston.<\/p>\n

\"SteveLarry Anderson, the chairman of the board for the Pride Center of Staten Island, was also the master of ceremony at “The Flannel Farewell Fundraiser” for the Pride Center.Steve White for the Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

He held other positions at Snug Harbor during the last six years, including director of special projects and facilities site director, and was an integral part of the ongoing restoration efforts at the Music Hall and Veterans Memorial Hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry was a beloved staff leader and one of Snug Harbor\u2019s most ardent supporters,\u201d said Jessica Vodoor, president and CEO. \u201cHis care and love for our beautiful culture park was unrivaled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson and Alice Diamond. (Photo\/Lance J. Reha, lancejrehaphotography.com)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the plasma of Snug Harbor \u2014 always so helpful and knowledgeable,\u201d added Alice B. Diamond, supporter of the arts and founding board member of the cultural center. \u201cHe was destined to do more good things, and it\u2019s crushing that he\u2019s no longer there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Loved Staten Island<\/p>\n

Born on Sept. 24, 1966, Lawrence \u201cLarry\u201d Wayne Anderson grew up in Westerleigh. <\/p>\n

After graduating from Susan Wagner High School in 1984, he studied at the College of Staten Island and Baruch College, and pursued a passion for landscape design and architecture at the New York Botanical Garden School of Professional Horticulture.<\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson and “friends” at a Neptune Ball. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

As a child, Larry divided his time between the stage and the ballfield. His father, a three-sport athlete, coach and former sports writer at the Advance\/SILive.com, instilled a love of baseball in Larry and his younger brother, Mark. They participated in a summer baseball camp their father ran at Wagner College, where they played under legendary Curtis High School athletes Bert Levinson and Jack Tracy. <\/p>\n

Young Larry also played ball with the Mid-Island Little League. <\/p>\n

Matthew Titone, Surrogate Court judge and former state Assembly member, cherishes his lifelong friendship with Larry. <\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson with Surrogate Matthew Titone, left, and his husband, Josh Pugliese. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom called him her fifth kid,\u201d he shared. \u201cHe was a part of the family\u201d and even helped with chores around the house. At the Titones\u2019 vacation house in Spring Lake, N.J., Larry had his own bedroom. <\/p>\n

Ellen Gribbin, another childhood friend, remembers Christmas Eve shopping sprees with Larry at the Staten Island Mall, double-dating for the Susan Wagner High School prom, and scoring tickets to the Tony Awards circa 1988. <\/p>\n

\"anderson\"Larry Anderson and Joanne Gerenser. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)snug<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not a person who didn\u2019t love Larry,\u201d she said. \u201cHe was always happy, always busy, and he loved Staten Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

After high school, Larry took a job in Manhattan\u2019s financial district, but soon moved on to a more creative role with Dodger Productions, known for bringing numerous shows to Broadway. He also worked with Kids Entertainment in Toronto and Columbia Artists Theatricals. <\/p>\n

He joined Snug Harbor in 2009 \u2014 his dream job, his mother, Mary Ann Wayne Anderson, said. <\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson and Carol Bullock. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Larry AndersonLGBTQIA+ efforts<\/p>\n

Larry was dedicated to the mission of the Pride Center of Staten Island, a welcoming space in Clifton offering services and activities that promote the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community.<\/p>\n

As board chair for the past four years, he planned the annual Pride Center golf outing, spearheaded strategic planning initiatives and advocated for LGBTQIA+ participation in the Staten Island St. Patrick\u2019s Parade. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a great resource for me and an integral part of the board,\u201d said Carol Bullock, former Pride Center executive director. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was passionate about people\u2019s rights, and not afraid to speak out,\u201d added Titone. <\/p>\n

\"(Dr.Matthew Walby, Kathleen Ryan, Larry Anderson, Maryanne DiLeo and Gus DiLeo at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens in 2017.(Dr. Gracelyn Santos\/Staten Island Advance)<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry has been a fierce advocate for equality, a source of warmth, humor, and compassion for our community,\u201d the Pride Center posted on Instagram. \u201cHis impact on the Pride Center, and the countless lives he has touched, will be felt for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Larry volunteered with Community Health Action of Staten Island, which provides outreach, education, prevention and support services for people who are impacted by health disparities.<\/p>\n

He was active with the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art on Lighthouse Hill, where he served as board treasurer, cultivated the gardens and coordinated a Halloween celebration. <\/p>\n

He was also a steady supporter of the Richmond County Democratic Committee.<\/p>\n

\"larryAt the 15th annual DaVinci Society Scholarship Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn, are from left, Aileen Fuchs, Jennifer Samartino Mallen. Matthew Walby and Larry Anderson. (Staten Island Advance\/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceBackyard oasis<\/p>\n

Larry met the love of his life, Matthew Walby, in 1997, and they were married in August 2019 during a lavish outdoor reception at the Alice Austen House in Rosebank. They enjoyed a honeymoon in England and France. <\/p>\n

The couple built a life of love and partnership in a 1925 West Brighton cottage within walking distance of Snug Harbor, shared with their dogs, Luna and Simon. <\/p>\n

Larry put his passion for horticulture to work in the backyard, replacing overgrown weeds with a lush assortment of banana palms, ornamental grape vines, elephant ears, cleome and climbing hydrangeas. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur friends called it \u2018the forest,\u2019\u201d husband Matt said. \u201cThey couldn\u2019t believe they were in New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n

A fish pond and two terraces for entertaining completed the bucolic scene.<\/p>\n

\"LarryCongress member Nicole Malliotakis, in black dress, joins Larry Anderson and friends. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)
\nLarry Anderson<\/p>\n

His calendar filled with Snug Harbor events, community fundraisers and dinner parties with many friends, Larry appreciated the tranquility of his backyard oasis. It was a place where he could offer friends a shoulder to lean on, said Beverly Garcia Anderson, a 2024 Advance Woman of Achievement who married Larry\u2019s father in 1991, blending her three sons with his two sons into one family. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe told them, \u2018Come on over, bring the kids \u2014 we\u2019ll sit in the garden and talk.\u2019 He was always patient and caring, a good friend, a gentle man with a smile on his face,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a people person,\u201d Larry\u2019s father added. \u201cEverybody knew him, everybody loved him. What more could you ask for in a son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Anderson (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Larry AndersonLove of Snug Harbor<\/p>\n

As a core member of Snug Harbor\u2019s Sunshine Committee, Larry helped plan morale-raising events for staff members. On Halloween, his last day at work before falling ill on Nov. 2, he led colleagues on a secret tour of the Sailors\u2019 Cemetery in Allison Pond Park. <\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a Larry thing to do!\u201d said Martha Neighbors, executive vice president of the cultural center. \u201cIt combined his love of Snug Harbor with Staten Island history and the outdoors. He was typically kind and generous and eager to share his passion for Snug History with all of his colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"larryLarry and husband Matthew Walby. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry revered Snug Harbor history,\u201d said Melissa West, director and senior curator at the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art. \u201cHe was the go-to for stories and anecdotes about the cultural center and loved to show staff interesting hidden spots such as the Snug Harbor underground tunnels, sailor graffiti in the attics, and the Music Hall attic.\u201d<\/p>\n

During excavation for the Music Hall Annex, Larry stepped in to preserve the ornamental top of an historic column unearthed at the site. Traced to Randall Memorial Church that was demolished in 1952, the fragment is now positioned on the campus as architectural art.<\/p>\n

\"larryLarry Anderson (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-Submitted<\/p>\n

Photos on social media capture the joy Larry found in everyday life while sporting playful bowties and displaying his signature smile. <\/p>\n

In a Facebook post on Sept. 25, the day after his last birthday, he expressed appreciation to his friends, family and colleagues in a characteristically exuberant voice: \u201cThank you all for bearing witness to my transition from middle age, to old age! I still feel at least 40, and hope we will all stay that way, and connected through the years to come. Love you all!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"larryLarry Anderson (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-SubmittedSurvivors and arrangements<\/p>\n

In addition to his husband, Matthew Walby, Larry Anderson is survived by his mother, Mary Ann Wayne Anderson; his father, Lawrence Anderson (Beverly Garcia Anderson); his siblings, Mark Anderson, Peter Garcia (Dina), Andrew Garcia (Leah) and Mark Garcia; his nephews, Riley Anderson, Lucas Garcia and Noah Garcia; his mother-in-law, Nancy Walby; his sister-in-law, Jacqueline Bocchino (Cody), and his aunts, Barbara Pietracatella and Maria Walby. He was predeceased by his father-in-law, Michael Walby. <\/p>\n

Arrangements, a wake and private cremation, were handled by the Harmon Funeral Home in West Brighton. A celebration of Larry\u2019s life will be held in the new year.<\/p>\n

\"larryLarry with then-Councilmember Debi Rose and Matthew Walby. (Photo courtesy Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens)Third-Party-SubmittedCondolences<\/p>\n

Anita Laremont, Snug Harbor board chair: \u201cLarry was a steady, positive presence at Snug Harbor. His many years at the Harbor exemplified the spirit of service that distinguishes the Snug Harbor staff \u2014 warmth, kindness, patience and dedication. I will always remember Larry\u2019s friendliness and sincerity when engaging with visitors, colleagues and the board. He will be sorely missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Lauria, Snug Harbor board vice chair: \u201cLarry had a passion for the Harbor. He especially enjoyed the progress of the Music Hall and would walk me through each step of the way as the work was underway. He could not wait until it would reopen in all its glory. He was a pleasure to work with and I am fortunate to have known him. He certainly made a positive impact while he was at the Harbor and will be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

John Kilcullen, longtime friend: \u201cLarry and I bonded over our love of Snug Harbor — he as a longtime staffer and me as a longtime supporter and fan for many years. More recently we shared the excitement of the discovery of one of the capitals from Randall Memorial Church during excavation for a new addition to the Music Hall. He had it installed on the grounds as a piece of \u2018architectural art\u2019. Snug Harbor was lucky to have someone so passionate about preserving and promoting this Staten Island cultural treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melissa West, director and senior curator, Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art: \u201cLarry revered Snug Harbor history. He was the go-to for stories and anecdotes about the cultural center and loved to show staff interesting hidden spots such as the Snug Harbor underground tunnels, sailor graffiti in the attics, and the music hall attic. We worked together for 10 years, bringing artistic programming to the community. He was always affable and helped find creative solutions for staging programming in old historic buildings. He will be deeply missed and remembered for his love of the arts and Staten Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jon DelGiorno, attorney and longtime friend: \u201cEvery time I look back at our chats and times together, I have a smile on my face. Larry had the ability to tell you stories that made you feel good and his warmth was so genuine. I cherish memories of Larry\u2019s passion for the arts, gardening, landscaping, non-stop promotion of Snug Harbor as the cultural jewel of Staten Island, being vocal and involved in standing up for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals with disabilities, his furry friends and their photos, hosting open houses and bringing friends together — always with his co-pilot-in-life by his side, Matt. Larry will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and everyone who was touched by him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alfred Cerullo III, president and CEO, Grand Central Partnership: \u201cOur cultural community, and community at large, has lost a bright light \u2014 which will never make any sense and leaves anyone who knew Larry speechless. His smile arrived in any room moments before he did, and he always left anyone he came in contact with smiling themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ken Mitchell, executive director, Staten Island Zoo: \u201cThe Zoo family is saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Larry Anderson, a true gentleman who will be missed. Larry was a frequent supporter and collaborator at the Zoo, joining us for many events, including the annual Golfari. He excelled at his job at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, one of our brethren cultural institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snug Harbor Cultural Center (via Facebook): \u201cLarry touched a lot of lives and hearts in his years of service at Snug Harbor. His passing leaves a big hole in many lives in our campus community and across Staten Island. We mourn the loss of his smile, his spirited laugh, his rousing words in front of any crowd, his energetic dancing at the Neptune Ball, his helping hands supporting anything large or small that needed to get done, and his passionate dedication to our borough, Snug Harbor, and the beloved Music Hall \u2014 the renovation of which he lovingly stewarded until his last days. We\u2019ll miss you, Larry!\u201d<\/p>\n

Art Lab at Snug Harbor (via Facebook): \u201cLarry embodied community spirit. What a tremendous, shocking loss to our Snug Harbor family, the art community and the community as a whole. We\u2019ll miss you at the Neptune Ball and the various programs and events we worked together on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staten Island Children\u2019s Theatre Association Inc. (via Facebook): \u201cLarry was an integral part of our organization\u2019s projects at Snug Harbor over the last 16 years, from productions in the Music Hall, to award ceremonies at the Neptune Ball. We will miss his friendly face and generous spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom McGinley (via Facebook): \u201cLarry was a walking encyclopedia who knew every inch of Snug Harbor and its history. In a lot of ways, he and Snug shared many similar qualities \u2014 warm, welcoming, filled with history and positive energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dawn Daniels, the Noble Maritime Collection (via Facebook): \u201cMy condolences to everyone in the Snug Harbor community mourning his loss. I\u2019ll always treasure my memories of having lunch with Larry at the Burrito Bar, our chats in the Music Hall, and hanging out together at events. He now has his own page in Snug Harbor\u2019s history, and his love and legacy will live onsite forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lynn Bodnar (via Facebook): \u201cI will always fondly remember Larry\u2019s behind-the-scenes tours of Snug. He knew every nook and cranny of the campus and his face would light up when giving tours. Thank you, Larry, for your service to Snug and to Staten Island.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2013 Larry Anderson was always drawn to the stage. He made his theatrical debut at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68062,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-68061","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68061"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68061\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}