1955 - 2024
City Manager
8 newportbeachindy . com MAY 10 , 2024
OBITUARY
In Loving Memory : Marvin Lawrence ( Larry ) Allison Jr .
1955 - 2024
Larry Allison Jr ., a 22-year resident of Laguna Beach , passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife , Louise , at his side on April 18 , 2024 , after a courageous battle with cancer .
Larry was a devoted husband , respected and loved psychologist , loyal friend , loving uncle and brother-in-law and lifelong explorer of wisdom .
Born on February 17 , 1955 , in Los Angeles , Larry was the only child of Patricia and Larry Allison . He grew up in Long Beach and attended St . Bartholomew ’ s Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School . His childhood was filled with adventures that could make a riveting novel about life in Belmont Shore with his boyhood friend Chilt , Grandma Dorothy , Uncle Jack and many dear friends and family .
Larry graduated from Cal State , Long Beach , with a psychology degree and received his master ’ s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the American University in Washington , D . C .
Larry was creative , musically gifted , a good writer and a compassionate listener - he could have become a musician , a screenplay writer , an author , or an architect ( he designed our home ), but he chose a career in clinical psychology because of an overriding desire to help others find their gifts and lead meaningful , fulfilling lives . Meanwhile , in his spare time , he could be found playing his 12-string guitar or writing music or screenplays , and he always wanted to create together with his wife .
Larry was always a seeker after higher knowledge . He learned Transcendental Meditation ( TM ) at a young age with his parents and meditated throughout his life . Enjoying the inspiration of the ancient wisdom of the Vedas , Larry attended an advanced course on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ’ s translation and commentary of the Bhagavad
Gita at the Washington D . C . TM center and quickly became the teacher ’ s “ pet .” The teacher would become his future wife .
Larry ’ s career in clinical psychology began with his studies in D . C . and took him to positions at the University of Virginia , Charlottesville , to a mid-west regional counseling center in Iowa , to the Claremont Colleges ’ Monsour Counseling Center , to a Newport group practice , and , finally , to private practice in Newport Beach . In 2002 , the Allisons settled down in the town Larry always loved , and a town that Louise quickly learned to love , Laguna Beach .
Larry loved being in nature , surfing , being adventurous , telling stories and jokes , and was known to roar with laughter from head to toe with his closest friends .
Larry was a deep thinker with a tender , sensitive heart - a man of silence whose words were measured carefully to support and uplift . He always rooted for the underdog and cared deeply about his family and his closest friends . He was a kid at heart and loved to play with his nieces and nephews and take them ( or anyone ) to Disneyland . As the kids got older , he always took time to sit together , reflect and offer insight .
Above all , Larry was a devoted husband who championed and supported his wife . He felt that her work of teaching Transcendental Meditation was of the highest importance . Everywhere the Allisons lived — from the East Coast to the Midwest to the West Coast — their home became a TM center . Such was Larry ’ s patience , flexibility and support of what he felt was a cause of immeasurable value .
Larry ’ s generosity , kindness , love , laughter and wisdom has left its mark on all he came in contact with . He left the world a better place and will be missed dearly .
Larry is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his devoted wife , Louise . Larry would be honored by any donations to a charity that promotes World Peace , to Maharishi International University ( www . miu . edu ), to Mother Theresa ’ s Missionaries of Charity , ( https :// missionariesofcharity . org / our-works-of-love . html ) or to the charity of your choice .
A memorial service will be held at St . Catherine of Sienna Church in Laguna Beach on Saturday , May 18 , at 10:30 a . m .
PAID ANNOUNCEMENT
City Manager
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• Lt . Gary Clemente , 2023 Sworn Supervisor of the Year
• Officer Austin Laverty , 2023 Officer of the Year
• Records Manager Megan Schilf , 2023 Civilian Supervisor of the Year
• Community Services Officer Thu Do , 2023 Civilian of the Year
• Volunteer Judy Johnson , 2023 Volunteer of the Year Lifesaving awards , for exceptional rescue actions , were presented to the following police officers : Jared Edwards ; Sean Esswein ; Mark C . Hamilton ; Gary Hufford ; Tyler Knox ; Zachary Michael ; Michael Querry ; Mitchell Rivas ; Matthew Wong ; and Lina You .
Awards of merit , for acts of bravery and exceptional service to the community , were presented to the following police officers : Gary Abrahamyan ; Joseph Azucena ; Tony Gallegos ; Joshua Granger ; Nicklas Haring ; Kyle Markwald ; Michael Querry ; Beau Rains ; Mitchell Rivas ; Matthew Wong ; and Lina You .
Thank you to our event hosts , the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Commodores Club , and event sponsors , the Balboa Fun Zone , Julie Laughton Design Build , and the Chase- Fainbarg and Feuerstein families .
Congratulations to all those recognized at this year ’ s ceremony – and thank to you all members of our Police Department team for your ongoing service and commitment to community safety !
To read about the officers ’ actions that led to the lifesaving and merit awards , visit this link on the NBPD ’ s website : nbpd . org / what-s-new / press-releases .
Come “ Touch a Truck ” May 18 at the Balboa Pier Parking Lot
In celebration of National Public Works Week , please join us for this year ’ s “ Touch a Truck ” event on Saturday , May 18 from 9 a . m . to noon at the Balboa Pier parking lot . It will be a hands-on opportunity to get up close to heavy trucks and equipment -- and learn how they are used to keep Newport Beach well maintained .
There will be trash trucks , backhoes , loaders , street sweepers and more , along with informational booths from City staff and contractors .
The first hour , from 9 to 10 a . m ., will be quiet with no honking or lights for those with sensitive ears or eyes .
Irv ’ s Burgers and Kona Ice trucks are joining the fun with food and beverages for purchase !
City , Elementary Students Celebrate Arbor Day
On April 26 , the City of Newport Beach celebrated Arbor Day with the third-grade class of Newport Coast Elementary School at the Newport Coast Community Center . This year marks Newport Beach ’ s 34th year as a “ Tree City USA ” and our 21st year receiving the “ Growth Award ” from the Arbor Day Foundation .
Members of the City Council , Parks , Beaches and Recreation Commission , City staff , and parents joined the celebration .
The event included the presentation of a proclamation from the Mayor , tree planting , a discussion about the
City ’ s urban forestry program and the significance of Arbor Day , and a student display of art and poetry . The students planted five trees at the community center .
New Landscaping Brightens Entry to Castaways Park
The City recently hosted a California native planting event at the Dover Drive frontage of Lower Castaways Park .
The City partnered with Stanbridge University students to plant three California Sycamores , 10 Toyon shrubs , and dozens of Berkley Sedge , Matilija Poppy , Black Sage , Buckwheat and Encelia . Fortunately , the soil provided easy work for volunteers and over 200 plants were planted in about four hours .
City Representatives Advocate for Improved Community Engagement on Federal Aviation Matters
City Councilmembers Noah Blom and Lauren Kleiman led a City of Newport Beach advocacy trip to Washington , D . C . earlier this week to talk with Congressional offices and federal agencies about aviation-related matters .
Joined by City Attorney Aaron Harp and Assistant City Manager Tara Finnigan , the Councilmembers advocated for greater community engagement from the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) and the Department of Transportation on aviation matters affecting communities .
The Newport Beach delegation ’ s timing coincided with the Senate beginning discussions on H . R . 3935 , the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 , which proposes a community collaboration program , a concept advanced by the City representatives when they visited the Capitol last year .
The Newport Beach delegation also advocated for communities to be recognized as stakeholders in the FAA ’ s planning process for the future implementation of emerging technologies , known as Advanced Air Mobility .
New Playground Installed at Peninsula Park
The new Peninsula Park Playground is now open to the public following renovations . The existing playground had deteriorated due to the harsh marine environment and outdated playground equipment .
The renovations included the installation of new lifeguard themed playground equipment , including a rescue board , rescue boat and rescue truck . Flexible rubber surfacing was also installed . The existing climber and swing set remain .
One of the City ’ s top priorities is to keep our beautiful public parks well maintained and , when possible , add improvements to maximize use and reduce environmental impacts . One such improvement was completed this week at Arroyo Park , 1141 Bayswater Dr ., near MacArthur Boulevard and Bison Avenue .
The $ 2.7 million project installed new synthetic turf for the soccer field and softball diamond and upgraded the lighting system to energy-efficient LED lights .
The project will help accommodate high demand for the use of Arroyo
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