Larry J. Wolfson

March 5th, 2021

Dear cousins, I was very sad to hear of the recent and sudden death of Larry Wolfson. I only happened upon the obituary because my sister Deb and I were talking and she said, “Whatever happened to Uncle Oscar?” Oscar Wolfson was the brother of our grandmother Lena Wolfson Gzesh. Our father Morry Gzesh (1919 – 2001) was her son. His sister Jeanette (Scheiny) Goldberg never had kids. There are 4 of us siblings – I’m a professor at the University of Chicago; also a lawyer of counsel to a Chicago firm. My brother David is a lawyer in Las Vegas. My sister Barbara Wilson is a nurse in Cincinnati. My sister Deborah is an actress and singer in Vienna, Austria. We were all born in the 1950s, so Larry and Zira were our older cousins. We all have kids who are grown but no grandchildren yet. I was doing research this week for a talk I am giving in a city-wide Yom HaShoah program about the Gzesh side of the family where there were a group of survivors of the Lodz ghetto who came to Chicago around 1948. That set us wondering about the Wolfson family of Riga, Latvia. I have a picture of Lena and Oscar’s siblings from Riga because my grandfather (Lena’s husband Max Gzesh) visited them in the late 1920s/ early 1930s. I’d be happy to send you a picture of the picture if you are interested. The last contact I remember having with your part of the family was that Uncle Oscar sent me and my husband Jonathan Rothstein a check when we got married in 1981, but they didn’t come to the wedding. I’m sorry that Zira is gone, too.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at the above email. I hope you are all well and healthy!
Best,
Susan Gzesh

~Susan Gzesh
~second cousin, Chicago, Illinois

February 23rd, 2021

I did not know Larry personally. But through the high school reunion committee, I had communication with him and he was so nice and kind. He must have been a wonderful person. My condolences to his wife Melle and family. May his name and memory be a blessing. Peace, Donna Estess

~Donna Estess
~classmate Senn High School, Boca Raton

February 19th, 2021

We will never forget his smile, he had the world’s biggest smile. Joyce & I went to Senn high school together. He always sat behold Joyce since last names were W. Will miss him.

~Joyce & Marty Taxe
~Friend & School Mate, Northbrook ill

February 19th, 2021

I was so sorry to read about Larry in the Friday, February 19, Chicago Tribune.

I am certain the Larry would not remember me, but he, his sister Zira and I used to play together at Weinstein’s resort in South Haven, MI when we were all much younger. His parents, Oscar and Jean and my parents Sam and Hannah Orlov would vacation at Weinstein’s every summer at the same time.

While we have not been in contact for many, many years, I still think of those wonderful days and times, long gone.

Our sincerest condolences to Larry’s family. It brought back many wonderful reminiscences.

Harvey Orlov

~Harvey Orlov
~Old acquaintance, Glenview

February 19th, 2021

So very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a great guy with a huge heart for family and friends. Blessings and comfort in this difficult time.
You’re all in our prayers.
Love Kathleen and Laura

~Kathleen Roth
~Sister-in-law, Pahrump, NV

February 19th, 2021

Larry will be missed. He brought smiles to the room and lifted people up when he entered. I’m sure in his after life he will be doing the same. He was a wonderful man & loved his family more than anything. Sending love to all of you at this time.
Much love,
Emily, Chase, & Ethan Johnson

~Emily, Chase, & Ethan Johnson
~, Lake Forest, IL

February 19th, 2021

I worked with Larry and the team at Block Steel in 2009-2010 Larry was always upbeat and had an optimistic view of all things. We shared many stories of family, children and life. Deepest sympathies to the family

~Jim Sharwarko
~Friend Colleague, DOWNERS GROVE

February 18th, 2021

Mellie
You loss of Larry is a Big loss for you and a great loss for those of us that new him when he was in SisterBay at Al’s table
My sincere Condolences
Doug Van Vorous 🙏

~Doug Van Vorous
~Al’s Table, Sister Bay Wi

February 18th, 2021

A sweet natured guy, wonderful family man and friend.. Much too young to have left all those who loved and cared about him.. May you rest in peace.

~Jill Rubin
~grade and high school classmate, Black Mountain, NC 28711