Larry McMahon '97 Memorial Dinner 

Larry McMahon '97, known affectionately as "Big Lah" due to his 6'6" and 275+ lbs. frame, died unexpectedly on January 23, 2014. He was 35 years old and left behind his parents Joe and Anna Marie and his sister Lauretta along with a host of friends from Brooklyn to 16th Street, across the river to New Jersey and beyond. Larry worked in operations at Goldman Sachs in Jersey City and was beloved by his fellow employees. Goldman colleagues Pasquale "Pat" DeAngelis '00, a fellow Son of Xavier, and Ms. Desiree Sirabella, are organizing a memorial dinner for Larry at Gargiulo's Restaurant in Brooklyn on Saturday October 25 from 7:00 PM until Midnight. The dinner will support the Larry McMahon '97 Memorial Scholarship here at Xavier which was established in the months following Larry’s death and has already raised over $52,000 in endowed funds thanks to the generosity of Larry’s family, friends and the Goldman community. Classmates and friends are encouraged to attend. It promises to be a lovely night in Coney Island to remember a loyal Son of Xavier and Brooklyn. As Pat DeAngelis notes,“ The act of providing assistance to others in need is the perfect way to describe Larry and keep his memory alive at the school he loved so much. Please consider joining us at this fundraiser for dinner, dancing and open bar in memory of Larry.”

To purchase tickets for the dinner, go to www.larrymemorial.com. If you are unable to attend but wish to support the scholarship, go to www.xavierhs.org/mcmahon. Thank you for your support.

Larry played basketball all four years at Xavier as well as rugby his senior year. In a recent visit to campus, Joe and Anna Marie McMahon remarked how transformative his time here was and credited Xavier for so much of the man he became: ambitious, industrious, caring, thoughtful and generous. “Larry loved Xavier. It helped to make him the man he was,” noted Anna Marie. “Larry would still speak of his experience on retreat-Kairos. He talked about that all the time—years later—and how it changed him,” added Joe.

A gentle giant always willing to lend a hand to those in need, it was the lucky individual who could call Larry a friend or colleague. Notes DeAngelis, “Larry was a special person. He was like an older brother to me, always concerned for my welfare and happiness as well as that of others in his life. He had a kind, loving and gentle soul in the body of a giant. I love him and miss him dearly. He is the true embodiment of a ‘Man for Others.’” Goldman colleague Desiree Sirabella comments, “I will always remember Larry as a generous, thoughtful and caring man. Larry was always the first person to dig deep into his pocket to donate to a good cause. Although his time with us was too short, the impact he had on those he knew was profound and his memory will live on through his family and friends.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Head Varsity Basketball Coach Joe McGrane sent out an appeal to Xavier basketball alums seeking assistance for varsity players who were set to compete in a West Coast tournament over Christmas break, but, because of the storm’s impact, now couldn’t afford to cover the costs. “Big Lah” was one of the first to respond and not just with a partial donation, but with enough to ensure one player was entirely paid for. At the same time, when a good friend was faced with inordinate costs to rebuild his home after the storm, Larry, grateful for the friendship and acutely aware how lucky he was that the storm didn’t do the same to his home, pitched in and made a gift to help defray the costs. He was just that kind of guy.

From time to time Larry would attend the annual Beefsteak Dinner and was at the Hall of Fame along with several classmates to honor the induction of one of their own, LCpl Mike Glover ’97 a little less than a year before his death. A recent visit to campus in 2013 found Larry reminiscing with Coach McGrane about times on the court and in basketball camp, sharing laughs and fond memories of Xavier in the mid-’90’s. McGrane notes, “Larry loved the school, his classmates, teachers and coaches. He was a great friend to all and always treasured his long term relationships with his teammates. We miss him dearly.”

The Larry McMahon ’97 Memorial Scholarship will provide partial financial aid to a student in need as part of the Xavier endowment. Gifts to the fund can be made at any time. Through this scholarship, Larry’s memory will live on here on 16th Street.

What: The Larry McMahon '97 Memorial Dinner
When: Saturday October 25 at 7:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight
Where: Gargiulo's Restaurant, 15th Street in Coney Island
Site: www.larrymemorial.com to sign up; www.gargiulos.com for directions.

Can’t make the dinner? You can still make your support known. Make a contribution to the Larry McMahon ’97 Memorial Scholarship.