Lawrence Sherman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Larry met Grace through her brother and immediately hit it off. They were married in 1955 and had three children: Michael, born in 1957, Louis, born in 1960, and Victoria, born in 1970. They indulged in the night life of New York City and frequently saw The Four Seasons perform. They were fantastic parents and avid volunteers for their children’s high school. They inhabited the New York and New Jersey areas until 1978 then moved to Tucson, AZ where they resided until their deaths. Larry worked in Tucson as a butcher, grocer, and cook while Grace worked as a hostess/waitress and elementary school cafeteria employee. Both Larry and Grace loved to watch sports. Their favorite teams were The Arizona Diamondbacks, the Washington Football Team, and The University of Arizona football and basketball teams. Their typical day consisted of watching Good Morning America/The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, small claims court television shows, the local news, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Law and Order, Shark Tank, Pawn Stars, and anything on Fox News (Larry’s favorite, not so much Grace’s). It is believed they held the world record for the most times a couple has watched the Rocky Balboa franchise. Grace’s cooking was nothing short of distinguished, as she made the best baked ziti, lasagna, pasta fagioli, chicken cutlets, eggplant parmesan, pasta and meatballs, banana bread, and cheesecake. She visited the hair salon every week and had the same hairdresser for 30 + years. Larry was a history buff and loved to impart his knowledge in this area. He also liked to bowl and was in a few bowling leagues throughout his life. They were blessed with 7 grandchildren: Celina, Jason, Mikka, Derrick, Joshua, Jeremy, and Steven; and 9 great-grandchildren: Avett, Wryn, Hannah, Steven, Scarlett, Madelyn, Derrick, Brian, and Joan. Grace is survived by her two brothers Matteo and Louie. Predeceased by her brother Ferdinand. Lawrence is survived by his four sisters Antoinette, Phyllis, Claire and Maryann and his brother Joseph. Victoria, Larry, and Grace had just moved into a 55 and older community in November of 2020. They contracted COVID-19 in mid-January of 2021. Larry died at St. Mary’s Hospital on Sunday, January 31, 2021. He was 86. Grace followed and was admitted to that very hospital the day after his death. She died on Saturday, February 6, 2021. She had just turned 84. In their last months, they both wanted nothing more than to be vaccinated against the virus. Their daughter searched diligently for available appointments for them as their age group became eligible for inoculation. They were both days away from receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine when they caught the virus. The family had hopes that Grace could fight the virus, as she was healthier than Larry, but she simply did not have the strength in the end. The family is convinced she was taken from us well before her time (her Father lived into his nineties). In the end, they could not be without each other, as evidenced by their 66 years of love. The family takes great comfort in knowing they are together again and not suffering. Both were incredibly beloved by their family and friends. Some described them as immortal because they were never absent throughout the decades. The thought of their ever-approaching deaths seemed inconceivable. They will be missed immensely. Their deaths serve as a reminder of how devastating the impact of this pandemic is, as 500,000+ Americans have been killed by the virus. It is heart-wrenching to know that if they had not contracted COVID-19, they would still be with us today. Please stay home unless absolutely necessary, please double mask when in public spaces, please social distance, and please help prevent other families (or your own) from having to experience this same tragedy.

Tributes

Lawrence Sherman

August 28, 1934 - January 31, 2021