Hilton Head, S.C. - Lawrence J. Greenberg, 93, died March 16, 2024, at his home in Hilton Head, S.C. after a brief illness. With him was Jo Thune-Larsen, his companion of 32 years.

Larry was born Aug. 8, 1930, in Windber, Pa., to Morris and Dorothy Greenberg, Hungarian immigrants. He spent his childhood in Cresson, Pa., an Allegheny mountain town, where his father owned and operated a clothing store. He graduated from the Pennington School, Yale University, and Harvard Law School. His law career, which spanned nearly 60 years, started at Suisman Shapiro in New London in 1956. In 1958, he partnered with Seymour Hendel, with whom he practiced until Judge Hendel's appointment to Superior Court. He then teamed up with other local lawyers, including Judge Barbara Quinn and Attorneys Jacques Parenteau and Lois Andrews, before returning to Suisman Shapiro, from which he retired in 2015. In his practice, he helped many area residents with estate planning, advised health care professionals, and represented major area businesses.

Larry was an English major at Yale, and while he chose law over academia, he remained an engaged intellectual all his life. As a member of Beth El synagogue, he gave book talks on his favorite authors, who included Saul Bellow and Philip Roth. He was a supporter of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and belonged to the World Affairs Council chapter in Hilton Head, where he attended, participated in, and led discussion of current events. His children were all professionally involved in culture and politics, and he enjoyed conversations with them about national and world politics. He followed the news closely until his final days, and was deeply troubled by what he saw as America's creep toward fascism, which he frequently said reminded him of the events that had led to the extermination of his parents' families in the Holocaust.

Larry and Jo's retirement home was adjacent to a golf course-an odd choice for a man who never swung a golf club in his life (although he did play tennis into his late 70s). But he was there for the other amenities-ample sun, the ocean, and walking trails for himself and his many dogs-which, in addition to his daily, rain-or-shine calisthenics, allowed him to maintain his health and Speedo-ready physique, of which he was justly proud.

Larry was predeceased by his sister, Sylvia Lebowitz. In addition to Jo, he is survived by his daughter Karen (Danny Goldberg) of Pound Ridge NY; his son Gary (Susan Powers) of Scotland, Conn.; his son Richard (Dinelia Martinez) of New York, N.Y.; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

No memorial service is planned. Donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry in Bluffton, SC. www.keithfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Mar. 20, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Greenberg

Sponsored by Keith Funeral & Cremation Services - Hilton Head.

3 Entries

Steven P. Lombardi

March 25, 2024

To all of Larry's family and Jo: In the early 80s I was introduced to Larry by the late Malcom Penn, our accountant. Over the course of almost 30 yrs, Larry offered invaluable legal services, and became a very trusted business friend. I regretted his retirement but certainly understood, being retired myself at this point.

With all the friends and clients he developed over the years, I was merely another. However, a special and touching moment occurred several yrs ago when I called him in Hilton Head out of the blue, and relayed that I was thinking of him and just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for who he was and how much he meant to me on both a professional level, and as a business friend over the decades. He often seemed like a non-business friend, as his compassion and care truly showed. He uncharacteristically searched for a moment for words, said thank you- while his humanism warmed my heart. I will truly miss and never forget him.

Larry Bentley

March 21, 2024

Jo, Karen, Richie and Gary
Larry and I wore several hats together in our 60 years together. First in 1960 DiCesare-Bentley-Engineers hired Seymour as our corporate attorney. Larry took over when Seymour was appointed to the bench. As Professionals Larry and I worked jointly on several accident or land use cases with good results. About 1990 I purchased property in Hilton Head and finally retired here in 1993. Larry and I had talked about the Island many times because he came here to play tennis. Eventually Larry purchased a house and he and Jo moved here and Judy and I enjoyed a good social life with them. I will miss Larry since we enjoyed reminising about old times in New London or on a Caribbean Island with a good beach where we could both wear our Speedos.

Larry Bentley

Aileen Greene Elias

March 19, 2024

Jo, Karen, Gary, Richie, I'm so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. We worked together for a number of years. He was a character, that's for sure. To say I learned a lot from him would be an understatement. May he rest in peace.

Aileen Greene Elias

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