Lawrence Pugh
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Lawrence W. Pugh
“The Steps of a Good Man are ordered by the Lord” Psalm 37:23. Our gracious Lord has called home and welcomed into heaven our ever-loving, hardworking, and devoted husband, father grandfather and friend to everyone (affectionately known as, Larry, Daddy, Grandpa, and Uncle Larry) on July 12, 2025.
Lawrence W. Pugh was born in Brooklyn to hardworking parents George and Helen Pugh. He was the youngest of six children who brought joy and laughter to his older brothers and sisters; Harry, Joanie, Helen, and Michael predeceased and Georgiana. Family meant everything to Larry. He would often tell heartfelt stories of being the baby of the family and how his older sisters would take care of him. He cheerfully recalled the endless games of stick ball played with his brother Michael on the streets of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Larry attend St. Brigid’s School in Bushwick, Brooklyn which was the formation of his lifelong devotion to the catholic faith and the start of his story telling abilities. He would often joke around about the nuns reminding him to pay attention in class and stop telling stories. Larry went to Thomas A. Edison High School in Jamaica where he studied the electrical trade following in the footsteps of his father. While at Edison he was a member of the audio audio-visual squad and intramurals “E”. After graduating from Edison in 1964 he went on to the apprentice program for Local 3 I.B.E.W. Larry was a lifelong member of Local 3 IBEW and the Catholic Counsel of Electrical Workers for almost 50 years.
Shortly after high school Larry met the love of his life at dance in Brooklyn, Margaret Aprea. Larry was captivated by his wife’s compassion and intelligence as a young operating room nurse. Margaret and Larry spent the early part of their marriage on Harmon Street, a tree-line street in Ridgewood Queens until they purchased their first home in Franklin Square, Long Island in 1973. Larry and Margaret spent close to 55 years making a home filled with love, laughter and a life-time of memories with their four children Jennifer Sullivan (Patrick), Melissa Guerriero (Ed), Lawrence Pugh, (Daniela), and Meggi Carr ( Geoff) and their 8 beautiful grandchildren Annie, Giovanni, Patrick, Kieran, William, Giuliana, Colin and Shane. Larry was also so loved by all his nieces and nephews, sister in laws, brother in laws and fondly Phyllis and Michael Aprea.
Larry’s pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. He would spend hours talking to his friends, family and many times strangers about his children and all of their accomplishments. No task was too great or too small to do for his children or grandchildren. Not a day would go by without Larry calling all of his children and checking in our all of his grandkids. He wanted to hear every detail of their day. Larry worked tirelessly so his children were provided with education and opportunities to pursue and achieve their personal and professional dreams. If you dreamed it Dad would make it happen and would do whatever it would take to give his children whatever they needed.
Work was at the core of Larry and he delighted in his skill and labor. In 1973 Larry began his career at Madison Square Garden as house electrician and had a long and dedicated profession. Although Larry retired in 2006, he made a life time of unforgettable memories and moments turning the lights on at the “World’s Greatest Arena”. Larry made magic happen not only lighting up the stage, basketball court and hockey rink but lighting up all of our heart. Whether it was running his kids and their friends backstage or grabbing a photo or autograph with a favorite musician, athlete or WWE wrestler Larry took great pleasure in brining joy to all. Larry even included the neighborhood kids, who would ring the doorbell to ask “Mr. Pugh” if he could get tickets. Larry never turned a single neighborhood kid down and loved making their dream of meeting a superstar come true.
The beauty of these all of these moments is that Larry was our superstar. His kindness and generosity to all inspired everyone he met. Whether it was telling a story about his favorite entertainer at the Garden (Frank Sinatra who Dad said was the kindest man) to a funny story about time spent with his parents, in laws, siblings or friends in Brooklyn, his life was filled with enormous moments of love and vivacity. When Larry entered the room it immediately lite up far brighter than any spot light or lightshow. Shine bright Dad, Grandpa, we will love you forever and can’t wait to be with you again.