Lawrence A. Reverby

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Lawrence A. Reverby, a true lover of life, who shuffled off this mortal coil on March 13, 2025, at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY, after an unexpected yet dramatic airlift to the hospital due to stroke symptoms. Born in May 22, 1944, to Milton Reverby and Louise Smolin Reverby, in Bronx, New York. Although city born Larry fell in love with the rolling hills and shady trees of the natural world when he attended summer camp outside the city.

Larry spent his life not just practicing law, but legally wrangling smiles and laughter amidst the quaint surroundings of Trumansburg, NY, where he made his home and left his indelible mark. Larry was a lawyer for a cool 50 years. Yes, you heard that right—50 years! That’s half a century of legal wisdom and quirky anecdotes. Larry graduated from Cornell University, New York University Law School, and Northwestern University. He practiced for a few years in New York City, but then returned to the countryside that he had appreciated since childhood.

As a steadfast member of the Trumansburg community, he helped members of his community when they needed help achieving milestones in their lives, such as buying their first home or selling the family farm. He practiced long enough to see the next generation come to him for help when they needed it. He generously offered legal advice to local businesses and citizen issue groups, adding his expertise, guidance, and passion. He served as a long-time board member of the Trumansburg Charitable Trust. Without a doubt, he was that friendly face you wanted on your side, and somehow one you could also share a glass of wine with at the end of the day.

Larry loved his cherished rural property, affectionately dubbed “Larry Land.” This splendid expanse wasn’t just soil and grass—it was a sanctuary where laughter, love, and Larry’s sophisticated jazz piano improvisations floated through the air. Our lovable, quirky intellectual was a big man with an even bigger heart, and over the years he created a family of his own choosing—with ample space for friends, laughter, and the occasional piano riff. Speaking of music, his passion for it began as a child singing songs of solidarity at summer camp, taking music lessons, and playing music with his father. Who knew that little boy would grow up to be a handsome composer and piano player? Beyond the noble arenas of law and music, Larry was passionate about photography and also created art, magnificently transforming found objects into pieces that reflected his intellectual and quirky personality. He even shared the stage in a local production of “12 Angry Men.” As if being a lawyer, artist and musician weren’t enough, Larry was also a farmer. Alongside his late partner, Jude Hayes (who’s no doubt already put him to work in the great beyond), co-founded New York State’s first lavender farm, proving that love, hard work, and a little bit of lavender can bloom anywhere.

Larry left behind a brother, Martin Reverby, his partner, Halle Jones, Tera Hayes whom he cherished as a daughter, niece and nephew Elisha and Miro Reverby, and others that Larry helped raise and impart his wisdom, Matt, Casey, Carrie, and Michael.

Larry’s warmth and sense of humor will surely echo in their hearts, reminding them to laugh even in moments of sorrow.

So raise a glass or corncob pipe in memory of this larger-than-life figure! Larry Reverby may have departed from our earthly realm, but his laughter, kindness, and brilliant melodies will reverberate eternally through the hills of Trumansburg and the hearts of all who loved him. Here’s to you, Larry— you weren’t just a lawyer, musician, and artist—you were a friend who taught us all the magnificence of a life accompanied by beautiful melodies.