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Laurence Michael Polatsch
Laurence Michael Polatsch
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Laurence Polatsch Obituary
Laurence Michael Polatsch, an equities trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, hardly lacked for chutzpah, and may just have raised the meaning of the word to a new level. He was a free spirit who was able to talk his way into companies' holiday parties at Manhattan hotels year after year.
Forget the pride he felt at having successfully crashed the Plaza Hotel wedding of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. He truly met his Everest on the day he was browsing at a magazine store in downtown Manhattan and the actress Julia Roberts stopped by. Mr. Polatsch said hi, then asked her out "for dinner or a cup of coffee," recalled his mother, Linda. The actress paused, then declined — but made a point of thanking him. A few months later, in an "Entertainment Tonight" interview, Ms. Roberts wondered over the airwaves why she did not go out with that guy who tried to pick her up by the magazines.
Mr. Polatsch called the show, which then broadcast him re-enacting his proposition at the same store. Remembering the incident in the current issue of Esquire magazine, Ms. Roberts recalled that "there was a certain charm to his chutzpah."
Many of those who attended Mr. Polatsch's memorial celebration in Woodbury, on Long Island, where he grew up, told the story about the big date with the movie star that was not to be, and many others. "He was charismatic and fun-loving," his mother said, "and made everyone feel terrific."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
S.J. Friscia III
June 10, 2018
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
Andy Kopstein
September 11, 2011
Remembering LP, always! He was with me tonight watching UM-ND, and often in my thoughts. My kids (age 9,7,4,2) know him as the reason to cherish your good friendships, to never take anything for granted, and to love one another freely and easily. That's Laurence's legacy in my house.
September 1, 2011
Dearest Bud and Iris: After reading the LI Remembers section and seeing the article of Laurence, my thoughts are with both of you on the 10 year rememberence of these horrible attacks. May Laurence keep shining and smiling down upon all of his friends and family. God bless you both. Veronique
P Tabbernor
February 3, 2007
In memory....
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Kristine
January 4, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Paula Mallory Engel
March 24, 2003
I went to SU Law School with Larry. Our first year was an over-stressed time during which we were surrounded by self-conscious, Type-A Arnie-Becker wannabes, but Larry always provided a breath of fresh air. While a good student, he still managed to find a way to fit in the fun. I will always be grateful to him for teaching me how to rollerblade in the parking lot at Clarendon Heights, and think of him every time my eight-year old son and I grab our skates and go.
IRMA RIVERA
September 13, 2002
MY PRYERS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOUR SON.THE MEMORIES OF A SPECIAL SON WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. AS A MOTHER OF TWO OF MY OWN SONS I CAN ONLY SAY MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
WITH HIS PEACE AND LOVE FOREVER.
Laura Rossillo
September 11, 2002
I'm very sorry for your loss. From reading his article, and what people have said about him in his guest book, I can just imagine what a wonderful person he was. I pray that as each day passes, it makes it easier for his family and friends to cope with the loss of such a special, truly unique person who had a love for life.
God Bless him, and all those who loved him.
Ron
September 11, 2002
My prayers go out to the family during this trying time. God watches over his people and I,m sure he is watching over your family.
Brian Prince
September 11, 2002
We miss you LP - the world is a different place without you here with us. You lived life to the fullest, and you made a point to enrich each person you came into contact with. Your smile, wit, and good-natured spirit live on in all who knew you. We miss you deeply my friend. Rest easy and god bless you.
Angie Campbell
May 9, 2002
May God Bless you and watch over the family and friends that you left behind. May you rest in peace forever more....
April 20, 2002
to the Polatsch family words can't express how sorry i am for the loss of a great person. I attended syosset high school with larry and although we were never very close he always had a way of making you feel included and special in such an akward stage of life. I know is is in a happy place now and making everyine feel as special as he always did.
A very deep admirer
March 26, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL MAN..LAURENCE MICHAEL POLATSCH AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE..PRAY..AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK FOREVER..MAY GOD AND HIS ANGELS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN ...AMEN
Teresa Jahn
December 16, 2001
We are very sorry for your loss of Laurence. Thank you for sharing his picture and story with the world. It sounds like he was an adventurous and charming young man. The world will miss such a friendly person. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Jessica Teplitz
December 5, 2001
Larry will always be in my thoughts and prayers. He always managed to bring a smile to my face. I will miss him dearly and never forget him and the person he was.
A Friend
November 7, 2001
Always the prankster, Larry Polatsch donned a tuxedo and crashed the wedding of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the swanky Plaza Hotel in Manhattan last fall.
He even ate with Jack Nicholson before security guards caught on and forced him to leave.
As the paparazzi waited outside, Polatsch left the hotel beside Anthony Hopkins. He sneaked in again and left beside Dennis Miller. Then again with Quincy Jones.
He demonstrated the same determination combating an illness earlier this year, surviving a potentially fatal blood clot in his lungs.
"You just figure, it's not [his] time to go," said his cousin Bryan Schwartzman.
Formerly an attorney, Polatsch, 32, changed careers six years ago so he wouldn't have to "fight with people the rest of his life," said his father, Bernard Polatsch, 64, of Woodbury.
The Upper East Side resident worked as a partner in equities sales at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of One World Trade Center. The family has presumed he died in the terrorism attack.
Polatsch attended Syosset High School, the University of Michigan and Syracuse Law School.
"He once flew home from Michigan with flowers for me on my birthday," said his mother, Linda Polatsch, 60, of Brookville. Last October, he threw her a birthday party with 70 guests at an upscale Manhattan restaurant. He often returned to Syosset to visit his former teachers.
"Everyone should have the sons that I have," she said. "It's just the worst thing in the entire world" to have lost Larry.
Though he once asked Julia Roberts on a date and even appeared on "Entertainment Tonight" re-enacting the proposition, his true love was Marni Wasserman, 32, whom he knew since seventh grade. Just months ago, they rekindled their romance and, by all accounts, expected to marry.
"He was the one," Wasserman said. "I felt 100percent secure, 100 percent happy. I've never felt that way.
"He profoundly changed my life all through the years, but in the end it was so special," she said.
In one discussion, he told her: "Marni, I don't get down. I don't get sad. I don't get depressed.... You can count on me to always make you in a good mood."
His brother, Danny, 30, said, "In the last several months, when he was with Marni, he was really happy."
As children, the two brothers went to sleepaway camp together. Then Danny entered the University of Michigan when his older brother was a senior. The two belonged to the same fraternity.
Two of Danny's friends from the fraternity were also in the World Trade Center. He has already attended a funeral for one friend and plans to attend another Thursday.
Larry had a personal Web site, www.larrypolatsch .com, which the family plans to convert into a memorial where people can post their memories of him.
"There are hundreds of stories because he was a character," Danny said. "He lived his entire life as if each day was really his last day. It's as if he knew that his life was going to end early because he packed in so much in 32 years."
Copyright © 2001, Newsday, Inc.
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