LAWRENCE MADISON Obituary

MADISON--Lawrence Kinsloe, age 80, died on December 16, 2022. The cause was acute myeloid leukemia. Larry was a man of many passions who loved flying, theater and movies, scuba diving, WWII history, Wagner operas, and choral singing. He never saw a side road without wanting to explore it and adventured cross-country in his Cessna airplane on the merest excuse. He freely shared his enthusiasms over long meals, with several glasses arrayed in front of him as he told stories into the night. With his generous spirit, Larry supported many a friend through a hard time and helped others to follow their dreams. Above all, he adored his daughters Emily and Eliza. Larry was born on September 30, 1942 in Scarsdale, NY, the son of Lawrence Emory and Margaret Kinsloe Madison. He earned his BA at Stanford University and attended graduate school in directing at the Yale School of Drama. Larry and his brother Alan led Madison Films, a film production company, where Larry produced and directed many award-winning sponsored films and television ads. In midlife, Larry changed direction, earning a joint MSW and MPH degree at Columbia University and becoming a Deputy Director at the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park, NY. This experience sparked a commitment to better care for the elderly and led to Larry's involvement as a volunteer and then active board member at the Medicare Rights Center. Larry struggled with severe depression beginning in early adulthood and lived life as fully as he did through his own perseverance and courage and with the help of a dedicated team of psychiatrists who believed in and never gave up on him. Later in his life, he found great joy in choral singing and performed regularly with The Oratorio Society, where he also served on the board. In addition to Emily and Eliza Madison and their spouses Joseph Sumberg and Chris McLaughlin, Larry leaves behind grandchildren Henry and Alex Sumberg and Charlotte and Georgia McLaughlin; his former spouse and devoted friend Sarah Lang, and his brother Alan Madison, spouse Sandy and their sons Christopher and Matthew.

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Published by New York Times on Dec. 20, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for LAWRENCE MADISON

12 Entries

Danielle Gustafson

December 16, 2024

During the Pandemic, Lawrence Kinsloe Madison became a frequent contributor to our our EMS FDNY Help Fund. We support the EMTs and Paramedics of the Fire Department of NYC when they experience hardship. Mr. Madison's support bouyed our fund when our EMTs and Paramedics desperately needed support. We will not forgot him and we remember him today on the anniversary of his death....Rest in Peace and THANK YOU!

Steve Zousmer

December 14, 2023

Over 60+ years I marveled at, envied and was sometimes exhausted by the gusto and mastery Larry poured into his many enthusiasms, of which the best analogy was the zeal and expertise with which he attacked a restaurant menu, ordering everything, devouring every bite and drop, chatting up waiters and sommeliers, dispensing perceptive and provocative opinions, and running up tabs equal to the gross national product before driving away in his beloved Tesla. I think he put more into things and got more out of things than just about anyone I´ve known. This passion may have caused complications in the difficulties he suffered in his later years, but it was a thing to behold and I think that when it comes to a lifetime, Larry Madison really got his money´s worth.

Vera S Finkemeier

May 3, 2023

I sang with Larry at Oratorio Society of New York. We became friends during that time. He is one of the most straight and honest people that I know. He has always been accepting and supportive of me. I remember him inviting me, my husband and my niece to an Italian restaurant near DiMenna Center after a dress rehearsal. He was generous and very curious. I am sad that he is gone. I wish I would have told him that he mattered to me and that he made a difference in my life.

Vera Finkemeier

Mary-Jo K

January 27, 2023

I sang with Larry in the Oratorio Society of New York. When we traveled to Rome as a group, I took this beautiful picture of him. He loved it and I thought I would share his wonderful smile.

Richard Liebmann-Smith

January 2, 2023

Larry and I were close friends for 65 years. I remember once taking a cab with him, in which we were carrying on one of our lifelong disputes. (I forget whether it was the one about Wagnerian opera, the auteur theory of film-making or Bordeaux vs. Burgundy wines.) After dropping off Larry, the driver turned to me and said, "You must be very old friends. And when I acknowledged that indeed we were, in both senses, he nodded wistfully and said, "I once had that."
RIP, Larry
Richard Liebmann-Smith

Bill Stott

December 27, 2022

Larry was the nearest thing I had to a brother. Peg, his mother, wheeled him in a baby carriage alongside my mother, Jane, her best friend, wheeling me in another. Since then, NYC in WWII, we were companions, however often or not we saw each other.

We shared Scarsdale, acting (Mr. Hemmerly!), Doolittle Pond, Stanford, Yale, movies, classical music, and depression (he got me into psychotherapy. "Won't it cost a lot?" I asked, always timid. "You bet!" he said, "And you'll love it"). We did our best to cheer each other in dark times--our best was never enough, as we knew it wouldn't, couldn't be, but it was offered with love.

He loaned my wife, Irene, and me his incredible apartment in his absence; she particularly wants me to mention this.

Lately we spoke of our impending deaths, always grateful that our offspring were well-launched, always hopeful that we'd meet again beyond the veil. Ojala!

I will miss him deeply and always.

Marjorie

December 25, 2022

When death comes and take away our love ones, it leaves us so empty,so lonely and so dreer. Death is cruel. There´s so much mysteries in death-just remember-the song writers Rev.W.B.Stevens, Art. J.R. Baxter wrote "Farther Along we´ll know all about it. Farther along we´ll understand why ", "cheer up" my beloved Sarah, Emily, Eliza, grandchildren, and in-laws "live in the sunshine, we´ll understand it all by and by." My deepest condolences to all. My heart and prayers are with you. Larry is gone but will never be forgotten. His legacy of love, kindness, compassionate, generosity and willingness live on.

Roger H. Simon

December 22, 2022

Condolences to family. So sorry to hear this news that Bunny Kolodner sent to me. Larry was a friend and partner in crime in making theatre together at Scarsdale High School and then at Yale School of Drama.
He was greatly talented, bright, witty and generous and encouraging to me and many others. H will be greatly missed.

Fred Riccardi, president, Medicare Rights Center

December 22, 2022

The Medicare Rights Center mourns the passing of Lawrence Madison, a distinguished former Board Member whose lifetime commitment to excellence in health care and dedication to Medicare Rights have helped increase access to affordable health care for older adults, people with disabilities, and their communities.

Larry was a stalwart supporter of Medicare Rights, helping the organization deepen its commitment to Medicare beneficiaries living on limited incomes and experiencing hardship in both accessing and affording their care.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Larry´s family, friends, and colleagues.

Lorna Lynch

December 21, 2022

Dear Sarah, Emily and Elisa please accept my condolences. Larry will be deeply missed. Sending love and healing energies to you all. May Larry rest in eternal peace.

Polly Kahn (Newlane)

December 21, 2022

Sarah, Emily, and Eliza - I send my condolences and very best wishes to you on your loss of Larry. He was an extraordinary spirit, and I know how much love and care you gave him during such a difficult time.

bunny kolodner

December 20, 2022

Emily and Eliza I am so sorry. A friend sent this to me. Love bunny

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