Lawrence W. Boes

Lawrence William Boes, 86, formerly of Westbury NY, died on May 27, 2022. He sustained catastrophic injuries after being hit by a car.   Born on August 3, 1935, in Williamsburg Brooklyn, he was the first child of parents Lorenz Boes and Lissi Schaefer.

Larry was the Valedictorian of his Jamaica High School graduating Class in 1953. He earned a full-scholarship to Columbia University where he studied American and European History. A Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Larry received a Juris Doctor degree at Columbia Law School in 1964, where he was also the notes editor of the Columbia Law Review.  Upon graduation he served as a law clerk at the US Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit.  He joined the law firm of Reavis and McGrath in New York, becoming senior partner, which later merged with Fulbright and Jaworksi (1965-2000).

A devoted family man, Larry was predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years Joan Elward Boes.  He is survived by daughter Siobhan, and sons Lawrence and Thomas, daughters in-law Holly Boes and Mera Goodman, and son in-law Jimmy McKenna.  Larry also leaves behind cherished grandchildren, namesake William, Rial, Lillian, Logan and Genevieve.  He is also survived by brother Ron and his wife Barbara, and sister Irene and her husband Ken Salerno. He is pre-deceased by sister Ruth and her husband George Lutzic.

Larry had many varied passions. He was a die hard supporter of the NY Mets, an esteemed member of the University Glee Club for 31 years, an admirer of the Grateful Dead in his later years, and was proud of his German and his wife’s Irish heritage. Together with Joan, Larry was also an active Westbury community member. He was happiest with his family in Stowe Vermont, where he spent several weeks a year at Trapp Family Lodge.  Larry will be very much missed as the patriarch of the Schaefer-Boes and Elward-Tormey families, as an exceptional story teller to any audience, and a sweet kind friend to all.

Visitation will be Monday June 6th  2-4pm and 7-9pm at Donohue Cecere Funeral Home, 290 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY. The funeral will take place 11am Tuesday, June 7th at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 85 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, please give to Westbury Arts or the Young Peoples Chorus of NYC.

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