Lawrence ‘Larry’ Anderson lived a life dedicated to human rights, culture and Staten Island. His death at 59 stunned those worlds.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Larry Anderson was always drawn to the stage.

He made his theatrical debut at age 9 as Winthrop in a Staten Island Civic Theater production of “The Music Man” and performed with other local groups in “Bye Bye Birdie,” “1776” and “Gypsy.”

His mother, an actor and dancer, inspired a love for the performing arts that would continue through Larry’s adult life and into his leadership role at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

His death at 59 on Nov. 30 in Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan, left a wide circle of family and friends mourning a passionate community leader and longtime advocate for Staten Island’s cultural and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The loss has especially impacted Snug Harbor, where as director of performing arts and public programs for 10 ye