Leonard Paul Larson

Leonard Paul Larson, born March 28 th , 1935 in Brooklyn, NY to Ed and Lena Larson, passed away peacefully November 28 th , 2020 at Manor by the Sea in Ocean Grove, NJ.  He grew up in Dumont, NJ and attended Dumont High School, where he was a three letterman, playing on the football, basketball, and baseball teams.  Voted most athletic in his class, he earned an induction into the Dumont High School Sports Hall of Fame, where his picture is still displayed. He went on to attend Wagner College and worked as an elevator mechanic and troubleshooter for Westinghouse/Schindler Elevators in Manhattan for over 40 years.  He also served in the National Guard and as the president and chief of the Hugh Gassner Fire Company in Chestnut Ridge, NY.  He retired to Ocean Grove NJ and wintered in Briny Breezes, FL. He remained active and engaged in his community after retiring, where he served on the first board of directors of the Jersey Shore Arts Center.  He was also involved in restoring the building itself, putting his technical and mechanical skills to work, side by side with his friends and neighbors.  It was alongside many of the same friends and neighbors that he served as an usher at the Great Auditorium for over 20 years, as a member of the Ocean Grove Citizens' Patrol, and a member of the Ocean Grove Fishing Club, where he volunteered to teach children to fish.   He will be remembered by those who knew and loved him as easy going and witty with a great sense of humor, who kept his family laughing for decades. He was a hard worker, world-class storyteller, lover of music, proud gardener, and NY Jets fan (which often made him unhappy on Sunday nights). He is survived by his wife, Catherine Meyer Larson, daughters Catherine Larson Kenyon (Scott) and Karen Larson Nadeau (Dan), sister Edna Larson Lay, grandchildren Kara, Leah and Colin Nadeau, Mikalena Kenyon, and great granddaughter Poppy Buckman.  Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.