Laurence Aaronson

Laurence “Larry” Aaronson passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born on September 8, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Anne and Harold Aaronson, he moved at age five with his parents and older brother Michael to Pottsville, Pennsylvania. There he excelled in sports and developed a lifelong passion for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. The family later returned to Philadelphia, where Larry attended Olney High School and became an All-State defensive and offensive lineman. A top-recruited guard, he played football at Temple University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1964. He went on to receive a Master of Business Administration from American University in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1972 while working full-time for the Small Business Administration.

While a graduate student at American University, Larry met Connie through mutual friends. They married in Washington, DC, on December 12, 1970, and shared 55 years of marriage, three homes, two daughters, five grandchildren, five dogs, and three cats. For 41 years they lived in Columbia, Maryland, where they raised their daughters, Debbie and Abby, and built a close community of friends and neighbors. In 1988 Larry became a full-time professor at the Community College of Baltimore County, teaching Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Marketing, and Business Ethics. Over his 25-year career he held several leadership roles and created programs for business professionals, yet he most cherished the classroom, where he guided students toward their goals and encouraged thoughtful debate. He also owned and operated Aaronson and Associates, a consulting firm, and Superior Real Estate.

Larry was deeply committed to civic life. In 1992 he was appointed a founding member of the Howard County Police Citizens Advisory Council, serving for 25 years. He also contributed to the Howard County Ethics Committee, the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, the Catonsville Rotary Club, and other community organizations. Active in local politics and the Jewish community through Temple Isaiah, Bet Aviv, and Kol Nefesh, he remained a devoted Baltimore Orioles season ticket holder and longtime supporter of Olney Theatre Center. Above all, Larry was a warm and generous connector who loved gathering friends and family at home for holidays, Eagles games, and celebrations. His silly, sarcastic humor and big smile immediately put people at ease.

Though old football injuries and later dementia gradually limited him, Larry’s charm, good nature, and devotion to Connie never faded. He continued to light up rooms with his humor, even delighting the staff at Sequoia Senior Living in his final months. He was affectionately known as “Poppy” to his five grandchildren, whom he cherished, and was a beloved uncle, great-uncle, brother-in-law, father-in-law, cousin, and friend to many.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; daughters Debbie (Andrew) and Abby (David); and grandchildren Alivia, Madeline, Max, Griffin, and Quinn.