Obituary of Lawrence Cooper Schmidlapp

Lawrence Cooper Schmidlapp ("Larry"), 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his longtime home on Centre Island on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Born on February 5, 1945, in Brigham City, Utah, to Carl Jacob Schmidlapp II and Barbara (McKissock) Schmidlapp, Larry grew up with a deep love of family, community, and the outdoors. He attended The Green Vale School, Millbrook School and Kenyon College.

Larry proudly served his country in Army Intelligence during the Vietnam War. After returning home, Larry began a successful 38-year career in municipal bond sales, spending the majority of his career at Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan Chase. Larry dedicated much of his life to Oyster Bay and the North Shore community. He credited his education at Millbrook School for instilling in him the value of community - a principle he carried throughout his life.

Larry was a founding member of the Centre Island Land Trust and Friends of the Bay. He also served as a trustee of the North Shore Land Alliance, The Green Vale School, Oyster Bay Boys & Girls Club, The Waterfront Center and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. He was the past president of the Beaver Dam Winter Sports Club and most recently held the position of Commander of the Locust Valley American Legion.

Having moved to Centre Island with his family in 1948, Larry served the Village for 20 years, first as Trustee, then as Mayor for 15 years, following in the footsteps of his father who served as Mayor in the early 1980s. As Mayor, Larry was "community (and action) above self" - residents may have seen him clearing blocked roadways after a storm with his chainsaw or plowing driveways in the winter with his Suburban.

Larry had a lifelong love of the water, spending countless hours with family and friends aboard his boats, Shadow and Gatsby. He was happiest on the water - Larry's most cherished time of the year was the week-long family cruise up the Long Island Sound, a tradition the family kept well beyond the "kids" being kids. His favorite place in the world was on his deck looking out over Oyster Bay Harbor, which is where he spent his final days.

Known for his humor, charisma, and easy-going nature, Larry was deeply loved by everyone he met. His family and friends will miss him deeply but find inspiration and remembrance of Larry all around this community. Larry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol; his children Charlotte E. Schmidlapp (Kelly), Lawrence M. Schmidlapp (Caroline), and Carl J. Schmidlapp IV; his grandchildren Ivy E. Schmidlapp, and Archer L. Robinson; and his siblings Carl J. Schmidlapp III, Barbara S.Dembergh, and J. Alison Douglas. Larry was preceded in death by his brother, Allan C. Schmidlapp.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request any memorial donations be made to Friends of the Bay (www.friendsofthebay.org).

A celebration of Larry's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay on August 22, 2025 at 11:30am.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Oyster Bay Funeral Home. For further information visit www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com