November 10, 1934 – July 29, 2024
Stone Ridge – Lawrence P. Borzumato, Ed. D, (Larry), a lifelong educator, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend died Monday July 29, 2024, at Westchester Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York surrounded by his devoted family. Larry’s enthusiasm for life, playful sense of humor and intelligence inspired his family and community. He took immense pleasure and pride in his family and was playing chess with his great granddaughter just a couple of weeks before he passed away.
Dr. Borzumato was born in Hudson, Massachusetts, on November 10, 1934, he was a resident of Stone Ridge, New York for over thirty years. As an educator (teacher and administrator) he had been active in high school, junior college and senior college settings, most frequently in the area of communication studies. He was a professor and administrator at SUNY, Ulster for 25 years and later an adjunct professor of Communication/Media at SUNY, New Paltz. Lawrence also taught in the New York Prison systems and was an advocate for prison reform and education. Dr. Borzumato received his BA degree in English and Speech from Emerson College in Boston in 1958. He was awarded an MA degree in English and American Literature from the University
of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI) in 1962. His Ed. D degree in Higher Education was completed in 1996 with Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was also influenced by the Christian Brothers from his high school years which was evident in his compassion and empathy. He was the recipient of the first Presidential Scholar award at Nova Southeastern for his essay in 1996 “The War for Interdependence.” He also wrote a textbook “The College Planner,” a self-help time management and study guide for beginning college students. For approximately
twenty years from the late 1980’s until 1999, he acted as the moderator, co-producer and quiz master for Hudson Valley Quiz Bowl, first on radio (WGHQ with Bill Skilling) and then on TV (WTZA and various cable systems). The program was a fast-paced quiz contest involving area high school students.
In addition to membership in various professional organizations, Dr. Borzumato served as a member of the Rondout Vally School Board from 1996 through 1999 and on the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of Christ the King in Stone Ridge, New York. With his wife Judith he was a long-time advocate of civil rights as well as peace and justice issues. He was a member of the War Resisters League and a supporter of the Catholic Worker Movement as well as a participant in many activities relating to political issues. An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and other New England professional teams, Dr. Borzumato enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, and most recently had a mean streak going on Wordl. He also enjoyed classical music recordings and performances in addition to jazz music of the mi-twentieth century era. As a youth, he briefly played percussion for small jazz groups in Boston.
Dr. Borzumato was preceded in death by parents Frank and Mary Borzumato, of Hudson Massachusetts, brother, Paul Lawrence and sister Augusta Dadiego and his beloved daughter Marybeth Searle Borzumato.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of over 67 years, Judith Alice Dowling Borzumato, whom he married in 1957. They met at Emerson College. His surviving children include Laura Dowling Shea, residing in Croton on Hudson, Frederick Borzumato of High Falls, Joseph Borzumato of Stone Ridge and Cynthia Borzumato-Cobb and son in law Bruce Cobb of Stone Ridge. His daughter Marybeth Searle Borzumato, died in October 1987. In addition, he is survived by five grandchildren, Shiloh Shea, Lyndsey Rea Borzumato Seemen (Ford Seemen) and Morgan Paige Fruendorfer (Colyn Fruendorfer), Bethany Elise Borzumato and Leslie Marie Borzumato as well as Great Granddaughter Heleena Maeve Seemen. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Meyer of Delaware. Dr. Lawrence P. Borzumato, Larry, Dad, Grandpa, had an unwavering belief in his family and a talent for letting his children know how special they were to him. Each one believed they were his favorite, and they were. His wife Judith was the love of his life. He will be greatly missed and live in our hearts always.
A memorial celebration of his life will be held at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge New York at 1:00 pm on Sunday August 11, 2024. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Rondout Valley Food Pantry (https://www.rvfoodpantry.org/) or the ACLU (https://www.aclu.org/) Cremation was held privately.
