Lawrence Kessler

Lawrence “Larry” Kessler, 70, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betsey” Kessler, brother Robert (Robyn) Kessler, sister Susan (Jeffrey Berger) Kessler, son David Kessler, daughter Sarah Kessler, granddaughters Ashley Erickson and Leonore Jones, sister- and brother-in-law Victoria and Donald Wiederecht, nieces and nephews Jennifer Kessler, Beth Kessler, Alex (Kristen) Kessler, Gregory Wiederecht and Elizabeth Wiederecht, close-as-family friends Arlene and Leon Tracht, and many other loving family members and friends. Larry was preceded in death by both of his parents, Walter and Leonore Kessler, of blessed memory.

A lifelong resident of the Tampa Bay area, Larry was born in Tampa on October 28, 1954, and grew up on Davis Islands. Larry was a proud graduate of Bolles Academy in Jacksonville, FL, and Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. After college Larry returned to the Tampa Bay area, where he worked as an accountant at various companies for his entire career.

Larry was a loving and devoted husband to Betsey; they did everything together, enjoying travel, theater and shows, cookouts, working outside around their home and leisure time by the pool. Larry was also a wonderful father to his children, and was very generous to them. 

Larry was exceptionally kind; he never met a person he wouldn’t help, and was known by his neighbors as someone they could count on to assist them with anything and everything. Larry volunteered extensively in his community; he served for many years as a board member of the homeowner and community associations in which he lived. He was an active member of and volunteer for various synagogues and temples on both sides of the bay, ultimately serving as President, board member and even the occasional religious leader at Congregation B’nai Emmunah in Tarpon Springs, FL. Larry was also a Shriner; he was a member of the Egypt Temple Shrine for many decades. 

As an avid sports fan, Larry’s love for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rays and Lightning and for the USF Bulls sports teams was intense; and his propensity to yell for them (and at the officials) – even when watching them on television – was legendary (to the chagrin of Carl, Larry and Betsey’s beloved dog). Very few conversations with Larry didn’t eventually touch on something involving Tampa Bay area sports.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 13, at 2 PM, at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, followed by a reception. The day will conclude with a shiva minyan at 4 PM at Congregation Schaarai Zedek. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Tampa Jewish Family Services or to any charity of one’s choice.

Larry’s untimely passing leaves a huge void among his family, friends and community. He will be deeply missed.