Lawrence Peter LeHan, who was born on March 5, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio and who went by “Larry”, passed away on September 3, 2018. He and his wife, Jean Rose LeHan, had recently marked their 65th wedding anniversary. Larry was a loving and grateful husband, whose devoted relationship gave him great joy and fulfillment, even in more recent years when beset by the challenges of old age.
Larry and Jean were happy residents of Smithtown for over 55 years. Larry, together with Jean, was fortunate enough to have 3 sons, 3 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. Throughout his life, he loved to receive regular updates on all of them and to share his love of life, literature, history, and learning with them all.
He did the same with his 3 sons, always being a fully engaged and supportive advocate – and an adviser, but only when requested. Larry also found great happiness and connection with two nieces and two nephews. A keen, passionate intellectual with a perpetual curiosity about all things, he loved learning and thoughtful perspectives of all kinds, particularly anything relating to European and US history, the great literature of western civilization, and the fine arts.
Raised an only child for most of his life, Larry was never happier than when at a full dining room table, enjoying Jean’s terrific Italian cooking among children, grandchildren and cousins while engaged in 3-4 hours of good conversation. And he listened at least as well and as interestedly as he spoke. Larry’s love of learning also was his career, as he taught 11th grade English at Hauppague High School.
He loved to bring Fitzgerald and Hemingway – and, above all, Shakespeare – to life for all of his students, and he took particular satisfaction watching students initially resistant to Shakespeare wholeheartedly embrace it. Larry’s passion and empathy on a wide range of topics was a gift to himself and others, as whether he was speaking about Macbeth, Jay Gatsby, Martin Luther or Stonewall Jackson, he could make you feel like you were right there next to them. Larry also served in the US Army from 1953-1955, service which included teaching officers weekly on current events and US history while stationed in Manheim, Germany.
He also earned an M.A. in Education from NYU and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve, while working in steel mills, libraries, and other odd jobs to pay his way through most of his education. Larry’s visitation will take place at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road in Darien, CT from 2-6 pm on Thursday, September 6. His graveside service will be at 11 am on Friday, September 7 at the Landing Avenue Cemetery in Smithtown, NY.
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