Boardwalk 5K honors ‘Mr. Long Beach’

Annual Fun Run pays tribute to the late Larry Elovich

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About 100 people came out last Saturday to honor the man remembered as “Mr. Long Beach” at the sixth annual Larry Elovich 5K Memorial Fun Run and Walk on the boardwalk.

The event is hosted each year by the Larry Elovich Scholarship Fund in cooperation with the City of Long Beach.

Elovich, an accomplished attorney who served as Long Beach Democratic Committee chairman and president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, died in 2012 at age 77.

Each year, the scholarship fund that bears his name honors two deserving college-bound seniors from Long Beach High School at an awards ceremony in June. This year’s race raised about $4,000 for the scholarship fund.

“The winner of the scholarship fund is someone who has a strong sense of the Long Beach community, as well as academic and athletic aspirations, somebody who works really hard,” said Elovich’s daughter, Lisa.

Saturday’s race was attended by members of Elovich’s family, close friends and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Peter King, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and State Sen. Todd Kaminsky.

Elovich is remembered as a venerated political advisor who was able to reach out to Democrats and Republicans alike. Lisa attributes her father’s success at crossing party lines to his humor, integrity and charisma. He cared deeply for his neighbors in Long Beach and, as a former chamber president, the town mattered to him greatly, Lisa said.

Lisa remembered her father as someone who always made family a top priority, even while building his law practice and doing charitable work. Elovich’s children launched the scholarship fund and race in his name shortly after his death to honor his tradition as an avid 5K participant.

The race is held at New York Avenue, where Elovich and his wife, Helen, lived in a studio apartment near the beach after they married.

This year’s race also paid tribute to Elovich’s close friend, the late Stanley Fleishman, a longtime chairman of the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, who died in May at age 89.

“Stanley was one of my dad’s best friends, and he always added levity to every situation — he always made my dad laugh,” said Lisa.

Lisa thanked the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Police Department, The Recreation Department, Elovich’s former law partner Trudy Adell, Long Beach Surf Shop, Long Beach Bagel Café, Steven’s Jewelry and others who supported the event.

“It’s pretty special that six years have passed and people are always coming out and supporting it,” Lisa said. “We actually look forward to it every year, not just to raise money but also have a reunion with his best friends.”