Lawrence Fadel Halaby

LAWRENCE FADEL HALABYDeceased: September 3, 2024
Lawrence Fadel Halaby, age 78, born and raised in Rochester New York, and for the past eight years was a resident of Colonial Assisted Living, West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on September 3, 2024, as a result of hip post-surgical complications. Larry was predeceased by his father, Samuel A. Halaby, Sr., his mother, Lilly Fadel Halaby, both of Rochester, New York and his sister, Georgia Lou Halaby Gardner of Denver, Colorado.
Larry led an enriched life focused on family and friends. As a precocious child, he talked at an early age, a gift exercised generously as an engaging conversationalist, friends and family will attest. Larry was a gifted athlete excelling in football, basketball and baseball, ultimately quarterbacking his Brighton High School and Worcester Academy football teams. He also was a familiar face on the legendary Brightonschool basketball courts. His love and knowledge of all sports was without bounds. He possessed computer-like memory for celebrity names, places, dates and events, a knowledge unmatched in trivial pursuits.
Larry established lifetime friendships with many high school and prep school friends as well as numerous friends and relationships developed over the years. Larry, a bachelor, was not just a friend, but a person one could count on in times of need and challenge, whether they be young or old, male or female. He proactively shared their problems and comforted their sorrows. He was gifted with a great personality and always full of fun.
Larry was the quintessential "uncle "to 20 adoring nieces and nephews. He frequently caused chaos, riling the youngsters up with his antics, sometimes to the displeasure of their parents, but always in good humor.
Larry was most dedicated to his mother, Lilly, who in later years, suffered a stroke. He supervised her daily care, helped her engage in church functions and entertained frequent household guests. This enabled a strong, engaged woman to enjoy her pleasures of life when modified by right side paralysis. Larry was educated at Brighton High School, Worcester Academy, Worcester Massachusetts, and Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York. Early on, Larry embarked on a sales career, first inradio and television advertising and ultimately with the family business, Samuel Halaby Inc., manufacturers of insecticides, fogging and spraying equipment and other specialty chemicals.
Larry, whose avocation was nutrition and physical fitness, was always personally quite muscular and fit. This passion led him into forming Halaby Health System, a business specializing in geriatric needs. He became a recognized expert in this specialty, becoming an invited guest lecturer for many geriatric care seminars at professional fitness conventions. His greatest personal satisfaction was enabling aged, bedridden patients to regain a quality of life by walking and feeding themselves once again. As always,Larry became personal friends with both his patients and their families.
At the age of 69, Larry, a very active and fit personal trainer, suffered a subdural hematoma (partial stroke) requiring a craniotomy. He suffered no paralysis but was afflicted with aphasia (difficulty verbalizing words although knowing them). However, he clearly understood the conversations. This was a most life-changing setback. Conversation was Larry 's forte. The attempt to engage in conversation now was a frustration.
Thereafter, Larry maintained an apartment at Colonial Assisted Living, West Palm Beach, Florida, near brother Ken's and Sam's Florida homes. CAL provided his meals, entertainment, medical assistance and socialization. Not surprisingly, Larry became the model resident helping the older, infirmed residents and interacting in his general friendly, jocular manner with other patients. Everyone loved him. He wasthe favorite of the nursing staff. The family is most grateful and indebted to the medical personnel and supporting staff at CAL for the special care, love and attention given Larry for eight years. He was comfortable and secure in his home.
When first residing at CAL, Larry was transported twice a week to Goodwill where he worked as the front entrance customer greeter. In addition, he began physical workouts at Planet fitness twice a week. Two years later, the greeter job was discontinued, and Larry began a four-days a week fitness routine at Planet Fitness.
During the late fall, winter and early spring months while living at CAL, Larry visited with his brothers, four times a week on average. He enjoy Lebanese feasts, home cooking, Sunday brunches and TV watching his beloved Yankee games and sporting events with Ken and sister-in-law, Linda; outings including walks along the beach, strolling through shopping and outlet malls, movies, golf tournaments and a variety of other outings with Sam; and restaurant dining, movies, and outings with Ted duringTed's frequent visits. Ted hosted summer trips to Denver, CO with excursions to Vail and attendance at exciting Bronco football games in Mile High Stadium. He spent Christmas celebrations in Connecticut with Ken, Linda and family. Linda, not only the premier cook for countless special meals and celebrations, was of indispensable help managing relations with CAL, bookkeeping, finances and the go to person for technological problems. This Halaby family group constituted what was known as "TeamLarry," ever attentive to Larry's care, health and happiness.
The family is most grateful to PACE, a total medical support service of Morse Life headed by Larry's primary care doctor, Dr. Ivan Merkelj and his attentive medical staff; and to Yasiri Perez, a most caring, conscientious, competent social worker.
Lastly, but very importantly, Jaime Kapoor, a unique and caring human being and social worker who, from the very beginning, independently and without remuneration, sought out, befriended, motivated,instructed and joked with Larry. Her friendship was invaluable in helping Larry adjust to his new and challenging circumstances.
Larry is survived by his sisters Jean Halaby Moffitt, Virginia Beach, VA; and Betty Halaby Bahouth, Syracuse, NY; and his brothers Kenneth S. Halaby (Wife, Linda B. Halaby), Trumbull, CT; Samuel A. Halaby Jr., (wife, Jill C. Halaby), Pittsford, NY; Theodore S. Halaby, Sr., Denver, CO; and 20 loving nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Memory of Lawrence F. Halaby to Open Door Mission, P.O. Box 14236, Rochester, NY 14614-0236 or online at www.opendoormission.com.