Larry Sunshine
Lawrence “Larry” Sunshine, an early member of Temple Sinai and a longtime Denver resident and business owner, passed away April 9, 2018. Rabbis Richard and Susan Miller Rheins and Cantor Sheila Nesis officiated at the April 11 service at Temple Sinai. Interment was held at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Larry brightened the lives of each and every one of us,” Rabbi Rheins said at the service. “He teased us. He pulled our leg.
“He surprised us and was forever trying to get us to smile — to enjoy, to celebrate life, to bring sunshine.”
Mr. Sunshine was born June 6, 1932 in Brooklyn to Benny Zunenshein of Romania and Celia Marsh of Poland. After moving to and spending several years in Columbia, SC as a young boy, he returned with his family to Rockaway Beach and graduated Far Rockaway High.
In 1952, Mr. Sunshine and his brother Morty joined the US Air Force.
While stationed at Lowry AFB in 1955, he was set up with Beverly Marcus on a blind date arranged by her friend Sandy Schiff. They married on Oct. 27, 1957 and moved to New York, where Mr. Sunshine worked with his father in the fur business.
In 1961, the couple returned to Applewood, Colo., to start a family. It was the beginning of their romance with downtown Denver, long before it became popular.
The couple moved to southeast Denver in 1969 and became early, active members of Temple Sinai.
Over the next 30 years, the Sunshines owned and operated package liquor stores in downtown and north Denver.
“Larry used these businesses as learning tools for his children to develop a real-world view and acquire the street sense necessary to stand tall,” the family said.
“A true New Yorker who was fiercely independent, this DNA shaped Larry’s approach to life, his personality, his parenting and sense of humor.”
The couple moved to the downtown they loved in 1988.
Upon his retirement, Mr. Sunshine embraced his new roles as Colorado Rockies guest relations ambassador and world traveler.
He was a doting grandfather who showered his grandkids with his youthful and playful affection.
Mr. Sunshine is survived by Beverly Sunshine, his wife of 60 years; children Leba Sunshine, Brian (Julie) Sunshine, Roger Sunshine and Stuart (Lisbet) Sunshine; grandchildren Nathaniel, Benjamin, Madeline, Ethan, Matteus, Eric and Olivia; brother Morton (the late Gloria) Sunshine and sisters Shirley (Mitch) Carness and Faye (Gil) Villaneuve.
Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai or the charity of choice.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
