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Laurence Kay Obituary
January 18, 1937 - October 12, 2022
Larry Kay was born and raised in San Francisco, the son of Ida and Irving Kay. He attended Lowell High School. Larry went on to attend University of California, Berkeley. He then entered Bolt School of Law where he was a member of the Law Review. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree.
Larry was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the San Francisco Municipal Court in 1981 and then to the Superior Court in 1983. In 1994, he received the "Trial Judge of the Year" award. In 2001, he was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District, where he served as Presiding Justice of Division Four.
After his retirement he lived many happy years in Marin County. He also enjoyed spending his winters golfing in Palm Springs. Larry passed away peacefully at home with his dear family near his side. Larry is lovingly survived by his wife of 34 years, Heather; his sister, Lenore and brother-in-law, Charles Bleadon and his cherished nieces, Barbara (Peter), Karen, Deborah (Paolo) and his sweet grandnieces and nephew, Felicia (Ryan), Sam, Abby, Sarah, and Leila. He loved being an uncle to them all.
There will be a family celebration of his life at a later date.
The family would like to give many thanks to Tiburon Hills Care Center, Aging Solutions of San Rafael, Nurse Care Managers Hope and Tiffany, and to his home caregivers, Sonia, Lornet and TC.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Golden Gate Labrador Retrievers Rescue (268 Bush Street, #4322, San Francisco, CA 94104) or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Laurence Kay
Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha.
John Maher
October 12, 2024
Larry was a dear friend. We had many laughs together at the National College of Probate Judges meetings over the years. I will miss him.
John Maher
May 23, 2024
Just saw Larry´s obituary. We met when both on the Board of the National College of Probate Judges. A wonderful guy and a good friend.
Pam Meyers
December 3, 2022
I am saddened to just now hear of Judge Kay´s death. I was honored to work w him when he was assigned to the Probate Court in San Francisco in the late 90s. He was, as others have attested, a warm, funny and generous man.
And smart. Perhaps the smartest of many smart judges with whom I had the pleasure of working.
Indeed a life well lived.
Mary Joy Quinn
November 12, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Judge Douglas Munson
November 8, 2022
Good bye old friend. I will always remember the
Good times we had on and off the court. You were a true friend.
My condolences to your family.
Justice Jim Marchiano
November 3, 2022
Larry was an exemplary judge and kindly person, with a keen intellect, a droll sense of humor, and a passion for the law, whose distinguished career was a credit to the judicial system. He will be long remembered and missed.
Maria Rivera
October 30, 2022
Larry was a wonderful colleague and a treasure for the California bench and bar. He had a terrific sense of humor and was a total mensch.
Terence A. Redmond
October 19, 2022
Larry was a terrific judge and a wonderful friend. He is sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to meet him. The Redmond family sends our most sincere condolences and our very best to the Kay family.
John Mounier
October 19, 2022
Great human being. Excellent jurist.
John Mounier
San Francisco & Los Angeles
Judith Garvey
October 18, 2022
Judge Kay was a phenomenal Judge of the SF Superior Court and one of the finest appointments of Governors Brown and Davis. He presided well over Court, had a thorough understanding of the briefs before him, was supportive of charitable causes, generous with his time and was a very nice man. He has been missed.
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Memorial Events
for Laurence Kay
Funeral services provided by:
Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha1501 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
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