Larry Magarace, 87, newspaper pressman

Larry Magarace, 87, of Rhawnhurst, a pressman for the Bulletin and later the Inquirer, died Thursday, Sept. 15, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Harston Hall in Flourtown.

Mr. Magarace was born to Italian immigrants who settled in South Philadelphia. He later moved to the Northeast.

He served briefly in the Navy and then in the Marine Corps between 1951 and 1954. After his military service, he worked as a journeyman in the pressroom of the Bulletin, and when it closed in 1982, he moved to the Inquirer, where he worked until taking a buyout in 1993.

While at the Bulletin, Mr. Magarace was assistant chairman of the Philadelphia Printing Pressmen's Union, Local 16.

At the Inquirer, he was an executive board member of Local 16N of what is now the Graphic Communications Conference-International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said Joseph Inemer, Local 16N president.

"Larry was well-liked; he was a standup guy," Inemer said.

Mr. Magarace was recognized for his fairness and zeal in representing members of the union, his family said. He was also known as a man of his word.

After retiring, he enjoyed playing penny poker with friends in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and at the Jersey Shore. He also liked participating in senior softball leagues such as the Northeast Old Timers, and spending time with his grandchildren.

"His warmth and humor were unparalleled," his family said in a tribute.

He was married to Elva Gruhler, from whom he was divorced in 1980. She survives.

He also is survived by daughters Jeana, Gemma Magnusson, and Marianne Harms; son Jon; five grandchildren; a brother; and a sister. A grandson died earlier.

A Funeral Mass was held Thursday, Sept. 22.

Donations may be made to the Semper Fi Fund via https://semperfifund.org/donate.

bcook@phillynews.com

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