Laurence (Larry) Passell of Shoreham, New York passed away peacefully on December 17, 2021 after a brief illness. Born March 23, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio, he truly was a member of the "Greatest Generation.” On his 18th birthday, Larry enlisted in the Merchant Marines. During WWII, he served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific fields of battle. He was fortunate to survive two ship attacks by German submarines. After the war, Larry graduated from Harvard College in 1950. He went on to earn a doctorate in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley in 1955. He began his award winning career at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California. Then spent two years at Riso National Laboratory in Denmark. In 1963, he moved to Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. There, Passell and his co-workers conducted pioneering research in the study of the use of neutrons. Results of this work are found in today's fiber optic communications and medical diagnostic systems. His mind was mentally sharp right to the end of his life. Larry was an ardent gardener, avid skier, tennis player. He loved to dance. At the age of 80, he fulfilled his ambition of dancing the Tango. He was predeceased by Anna, his wife of 50 years whom he met in Australia during the war years. He is survived by his children Martha Carlson and Jason Passell and grandchildren Duncan Passell and Katie Paredes. He is also survived by his partner of 20 years, Breffni Medcalf and her daughter Suzanne Mulligan. A memorial celebration of his life is planned for March 2022 on what would have been his 97th birthday. Donations in his memory may be made to the Kanas Center for Hospice Care, 1 Meeting House Road, Westhampton Beach, New York 11978.
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