Laurence Thomas Fell passed away peacefully at his home March 19, 2024, which fittingly is the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fathers, husbands, workers and providers, as well as the patron saint of a happy death. It is appropriate that God called Larry home on this day, as he was a beloved husband, proud father of nine children, grandfather, uncle and brother who worked hard and provided for so many during his long life.
Larry was born in North Bergen to Laurence Thomas and Mary Cullum Fell and his Jesuit education at St. Peter’s Prep and St. Peter’s College in Jersey City were foundational for the person he became. As a proud alum, Larry lived the Jesuit motto of “a man for others” and would often fondly recall his enduring friendships from his days at “Prep” – he was still a regular attendee at the Prep Class of 1954 monthly luncheons.
Larry later earned an MBA from New York University. He was married Jan. 23, 1960, to Eileen Sullivan. Eileen and Larry raised their large family in Essex Fells and over the years made homes in New Vernon, New York, Palm Beach, Florida, and Spring Lake.
Larry had a Wall Street career that spanned four decades across many notable firms, including Stern, Lauer & Company, Lehman Brothers, and Smith Barney. His arena was the bond market as a salesman, sales manager and later in investment management. While the machinations of the financial marketplaces fascinated him, it was the people – his professional community – who enriched his life. Larry loved the ethos of the trading floor and many of his work colleagues turned into intimate and lifelong friends.
Larry often described someone as “getting the joke,” the highest of compliments from him. He famously liked connecting with people, finding out where they were from and whether he and they had friends or places in common; he loved sharing an interesting Peggy Noonan opinion piece that he thought was “spot on.” An avid newspaper reader, bridge player and daily Mass- goer, Larry was a creature of habit and, in his later years those who knew him knew where to find him, whether at St. Edwards, Green’s Pharmacy, Dunkin’ Donuts, or the kitchen table in Spring Lake.
Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eileen Sullivan Fell; his daughter Seton Fell Holt; his parents, Laurence and Mary Fell; and his sisters, Catherine Malloy and Elizabeth Hanson.
Larry was immensely proud of his large and loving family and is survived by his children and their spouses: Laurence T. Fell Jr. and Eileen Fell of Wall; John and Diane Fell of Chatham; Mary Jean (Fell) and Jeffrey Casler of McLean, Virginia; Elizabeth Fell of New York, New York; Stephanie Fell of Washington, D.C.; David Holt of Fair Haven; Anne Marie (Fell) and Jon Coon of Fair Haven; Timothy Fell and Lene Dahl of Morristown; and Margot (Fell) and Joseph O’Connor of Rumson. He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Fell of Fort Lee and Mary Anne McAlpine and her husband Kenneth McAlpine of Naples, Florida; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Sullivan of New York and Catherine Halligan of Bettendorf, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
He will be deeply missed by his 21 grandchildren: Delaney, Thomas and Kerry Fell; Katie, Kevin, Timothy and Erin Fell; Brian, Michael and Matthew Casler; Damian Holt; Cecilia and Julia Coon; Christian, Max, Erik and Camilla Fell; and Peter, Eleanor, Mary Catherine and Claire O’Connor.
A Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving was held March 27 at St. Mark’s Church, Sea Girt. The family received visitors March 26 at O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Peter’s Prep (spprep.org) or Jesuit Missions (jesuits.org). The family will also hold a memorial service for Larry at 1 p.m. April 5 in Palm Beach, Florida, at St. Edward Catholic Church, 144 North County Road, Palm Beach. For more information, visit obrienfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the March 28 – April 3, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
