Larry Edward Vereen

Larry E. Vereen, son of the late Norma “Romaine” and Frank “Big Ed” Vereen, was born on December 17, 1947, in Trenton, New Jersey. He entered into eternal rest on June 22nd at his home in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Larry graduated from Ewing High School in Trenton, NJ, in 1966. In 1964, Larry and twelve other high school students from Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton High Schools formed the first city-wide high school fraternity called “The Theta Gammas.” The Thetas officially became the first Black high school fraternity. Larry “World” Vereen brought a level of intelligence to the group that was second to none and was a vital part of the Thetas' success. The group participated in numerous charitable activities and, over time, earned the trust and admiration of the community throughout Trenton. Larry maintained a lifelong friendship with the Thetas.

Larry attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas. He married Deborah Johnson in 1968. On campus, Larry was involved as a resident advisor, football player, and was deeply involved with and supported the Black community there as leader of the Black Student Union. He also served as the relocation officer for the Salina Urban Renewal Agency. Later, Larry joined the Salina Unified School District 305 superintendent’s staff. He developed a Black studies curriculum and conducted sensitivity training for teachers at Salina High School. Larry was honored by Black American Citizens Organizations with an official letter of appreciation that stated, “You were always on hand to inspire us in working to improve conditions for minority groups when we seemed to have no way to turn.”

Larry and Deborah returned to Trenton in 1970. Larry immersed himself in his lifelong passion for politics and community development. He held many roles at the city, county, and state levels. He was the campaign manager for Rev. Dr. Samuel Howard Woodson, Jr., pastor, civil rights leader, and Democratic Party politician. Woodson was the first African American to be elected Speaker of the General Assembly in the state’s history. He was also Legislative Assistant to State Senator Richard Coffee, drafting legislation for the State Senate, and Assistant Campaign Manager for Brendan T. Byrne’s successful campaign for Governor of New Jersey. Larry later became the Assistant to the Governor. His final government position was as acting Director of the Department of Public Safety, overseeing jails in Mercer County, New Jersey. During this time, Larry also served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1970 to 1975, and was then honorably discharged.

In December of 1976, Deborah gave birth to Sean Edward Vereen. Soon after, the family moved to West Trenton. Larry would leave his last political post to launch the West Side Thriftway store. It eventually became an IGA Supermarket in 1976. While Larry stated that he “would always be a politician”, his lifelong commitment to economic opportunity and community organizing was on clear display with the opening of the store. The supermarket was a revitalization project for Hermitage Avenue. Larry incorporated concepts that were ahead of their time with a pharmacy, & Post Office Sub Station, inside the supermarket and a packaged liquor store adjoining the main building.

The supermarket employed hundreds of people and served thousands of residents in West Trenton at a time when supermarkets were leaving the city for the suburbs, leaving neighborhoods underserved.

Larry would later meet Diana Williams in 1985 in the Bahamas. They were married in 1999. They initially lived in Delaware County, and later moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he began working for Giant Food Stores as an assistant manager. They later settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where Larry transferred to the corporate office for Ahold Delhaize USA, to become an Ethnic Marketing Specialist for Giant. He traveled the state to identify local and minority owned businesses to become suppliers for Giant Supermarkets. Larry was later promoted to Manager of Supplier Diversity & Trade Relations. In 2007, he was recognized by the National Minority Supplier Development Council of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware with the Award of Distinction. Upon accepting the award, Larry said, “Helping women and minority business owners in our communities only helps us grow stronger as a business.” He later retired from Ahold in 2017.

Larry was devoted to the Greater Zion Baptist Church. He undertook numerous good works through the church, such as the implementation of ‘Golf for New Life’ and ‘New Life Readings and Greetings’.

Larry loved talking with his children and grandchildren. He would always be ready to talk about politics and current events, and football with his grandson.

Larry is survived by his wife Diana, son Sean {Beth}, and stepchildren Todd Williams, Kelli Pope {Marlon}, Blain Williams {Sue}, and Beth Williams. He is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Xavier, Abby, Jennifer, Cynthia, Angela, James, Cassandra, Felicia, Marci, Ciara, Porscha, Lexus, Blain, and fourteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Donald Vereen, Charles ‘Chuckie’ Jackson, Gregory Blocker, sister Debbie White, and his late stepbrother Louis ‘Lee Lee’ Brown. Larry's memory will be cherished and forever remembered by his Uncles Fred Vereen Jr. {Margaret}, Harold Vereen {Joyce} of Lawrence Township, NJ, and Olivia Leggett {William} of Princeton, NJ, Leola Ford {Donald] of Trenton, NJ, and also to cherish a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.