Lawrence Rein

Lawrence “Larry” Rein, the patriarch of his family and the unofficial “Mayor of Burns Street,” passed away peacefully at the remarkable age of 102.

Born on September 23, 1923, in Livingston Manor, New York, to Jennie Simon and Samuel Rein, Larry was raised in a close-knit family. He attended school in Brooklyn before serving in the United States Air Force during World War II, where he was stationed in the South Pacific. After returning home, Larry built a successful career in the transportation industry. Through dedication and expertise, he advanced to the role of Air Freight Executive, a position he held until his retirement.

Larry married Carol Puckowitz on September 5, 1953, and together they shared 58 happy years until Carol’s passing in 2011. Larry had a way with words, a great sense of humor, a knack for poetry, and a deep love of Scrabble. He was fiercely proud of his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—celebrating every accomplishment and eagerly sharing their stories with his many friends. To his neighbors, he was more than just a resident. Having lived on Burns Street for over 50 years, he became affectionately known as the “Mayor.” Over the past two years, Larry was also a beloved member of the Atria community, where he quickly made a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Larry will be remembered for his ability to find humor in everyday moments and for living a life of “no complaints.” He will be missed by those whom he loved and who loved him dearly: his predeceased wife, Carol; his predeceased daughter, Lisa; his daughter and son, Nina and David; his sons-in-law, Ricky and Mike; his daughter-in-law, Holly; his three beloved grandchildren, Casey, Emily, and Jake; and his many nieces and nephews, who fondly referred to him as “Unc” and “Uncle Larry.”

In Larry’s honor, may we all strive to be a little more like the “Mayor” of Burns Street.

A funeral service will be held at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels, located at 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375, United States. The service is scheduled for January 21, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Schwartz Brothers Funeral Home will webcast the funeral ceremony on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 10:25 AM EST to 11:25 AM EST .

You can view the ceremony live or on replay at https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/119399.

The ceremony will be available to all without a password.