Lawrence Ilaria Casparro, 86, of Bradley Beach, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2024.
Born in Newark, Larry lived most of his life in Bloomfield, Verona and Bradley Beach. Larry graduated from Bloomfield High School as a highly accomplished three-sport athlete and was later nominated to the Bloomfield High Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to graduate from University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering while playing football for the Terps. Notably, he was recruited by several professional football teams, however he decided not to continue his football career beyond UMD. Upon graduation, he was hired by Singer Kearfott and held many positions during his four-decade career with them. He retired as vice president of manufacturing in 1998. Larry also supported the Verona community by serving several terms on the Planning and Zoning boards.
Larry and Diana (known affectionately as Bucky) met in high school and married right after he graduated from college. They loved to travel and spend time with friends and extended family. He often jokingly referred to them as 1A and 1B – two halves of the same person. Larry loved his family and cherished the time spent together. He was always enamored by his children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to tell them they were loved and supported. He loved telling jokes and sharing stories about his youth and experiences over his lifetime. He was a great listener and always willing to give advice when asked. He watched the news and read the newspaper from cover to cover every day for most of his adult life and wasn’t afraid to share his opinion about any topic.
Other than his family, Larry loved nothing more than fishing. A skilled angler, both fresh and salt water, he rarely missed an opportunity to cast a line into the water. A longtime member of the Asbury Park Fishing Club, many nights were spent out on a jetty fishing for striped bass. Several of his catches were record breakers and were featured in The Fisherman magazine. For many years, he had a boat in the Highlands area where he spent time on the water with friends and family. For many years, he spent the cold New Jersey winters in the Florida Keys chasing barracuda and bonefish through the flats. The blue marlin that he caught off the coast of Jamaica still hangs on the wall in Bradley Beach as a constant reminder of his love of the sport.
Loving and devoted husband of 63 years of Diana (nee: Casale). Cherished father of Robert and his wife Donna, and Lynn and her husband Michael. Beloved Pop Pop of Kevin and Jeffrey Casparro and Chayse and Roman Maloney. He also leaves behind a brother, John Casparro and his wife Marylou, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and neighbors. He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Geraldine Casparro.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, on Thursday, February 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be offered at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 22 Lakeside Avenue, Verona, on Friday, February 16 at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in Larry’s name to the American Diabetes Association or the Bradley Beach First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.
