Long Beach loses a leader

(Page 4 of 4)

Elovich was a Nassau University Medical Center trustee, and sat on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society and the Long Beach Cancer Care. He chaired the Nassau County Bar Association’s Legislative Committee, was a senior member of the Long Beach Medical Center’s Board of Trustees, and was a trustee of the Long Island Power Authority. He had served as a director of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association since 1975, and he was a member of the Governor’s Judicial Screening Committee.

“He … helped a lot of people in the community,” said his longtime friend Roy Tepper, the City Court judge. “Larry was devoted to his family, and will be missed very much by so many people.”

Elovich was also a president of the Long Beach Lions Club, and in 2010 he was named grand marshal of the Irish Day parade by the Ancient Order of Hibernians — the first non-Catholic to lead the procession. It was one of his proudest moments, friends said.

“Long Beach is a close-knit community,” he told the Herald at the time. “We’re a melting pot, so to say, where there’s great respect for all of us, whatever your race or religion may be.”

Elovich always managed to find time for his family, and to stay physically fit, whether it was running on the boardwalk — he often participated in 5K races — working out at the gym or challenging friends to see who could do the most pushups.

“We always thought he would drop dead on the boardwalk when he was 95 after running five or 10 miles,” said Representative King. “Well, Larry didn’t make it to 95, but he certainly lived a very good life. He accomplished more and did more for people than you can expect from any one man.”

Elovich’s children plan to launch an annual “Larry Elovich 5K Fun Run” next summer on the boardwalk, a fundraiser for outstanding academic and athletic Long Beach High School students who can’t afford college. They are also working to rename New York Avenue — where their parents met — in his honor.

“He dedicated his whole life to his community, his family and his friends with such fierce intensity and continuity,” said his daughter Lisa, “that even after his body is gone, he still lives on.”

Page 4 / 4