Lawrence Michael Wolf was born on the South Side of Chicago on February 21st, 1940. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he packed up his VW Bug and headed west to Los Angeles to work as an aeronautical engineer, eventually settling in Manhattan Beach. In 1972 Larry married the love of his life, Lynn. Together they had two sons, Tyler and Alex.
After years in aerospace - including helping build the Saturn V rocket that put a man on the moon - Larry fell in love with real estate and changed careers. He found immediate success as an agent, and quickly became a co-owner of the small local real estate firm, Shorewood Realtors, which he helped grow from it’s humble beginnings to the #1 independent brokerage in Los Angeles County.
Even as Shorewood became nationally recognized, Larry’s main barometer for success remained the happiness of his agents. He was fiercely loyal and genuinely enjoyed building up the people around him. He was always available for a friendly conversation, to collaborate on win-win solutions, or to share a cold martini and good laugh. He was a manager, a mentor, and a friend to anyone he met.
Larry was deeply involved in the South Bay community. He was an avid Rotarian, a member of the Wall-Nuts running club and Virginia Country Club, and a board member at Richstone Family Center, where he was honored for his contributions. Through his business and personal relationships, he touched thousands of lives and remains in many of our hearts.
Larry was an avid golfer, a graceful runner, an elegant skier, and a voracious reader. He loved to travel, having visited Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and both the Arctic and Antarctic, but his heart was always here at home in Manhattan Beach.
In 2016, a devastating case of West Nile Virus left Larry paralyzed and dependent on a breathing machine. His mind remained untouched, but his body was ravaged.
Always the fighter, and with the constant help of his family, Larry continued to live a full life for an additional decade. Larry could often be found having dinner dates with Lynn and friends at the 900 Club, eating lunch with his sons at The Kettle, or rolling down The Strand with his golden retrievers.
He continued to attend concerts, visit museums, go to Dodger games, and travel to his home in La Quinta. Even while confined to his wheelchair, he crossed the finish line of the Manhattan Beach 10K a few more times (assisted by Tyler and Alex.) He shared his precious time with friends and family, and was even able to celebrate the birth of his two granddaughters, Joss and Deacon. He made the most out of every day.
Larry will be missed. He was courageous, passionate, and devoted. He was a man of extraordinary character, humor, tenacity, and composure. He was generous with love, and was loved generously in return.
To those who knew him, his example will inspire us to love life and to live fully.
