Lawrence R. Dwyer, Sr.

Lawrence Robert Dwyer, 87, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, March 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born in 1939 in the Bronx, NY to William Gamble Dwyer II and Marjorie Callahan Dwyer, Larry was christened at St. Nicholas of Tolentine and grew up in Teaneck, NJ as the proud younger brother of Lyn Marie Dwyer. A "Loyal Son" of Xavier High School, he was known as "Big Red" for his striking red hair and was a gifted three-season track athlete. He briefly attended South Dakota State University for animal husbandry before hitchhiking back east to reunite with his high school sweetheart, Elaine Mary Hughes. Larry went on to earn both his undergraduate degree and MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, making frequent trips to visit Elaine at Boston University until the pair married in May 1963.

Larry’s Catholic upbringing instilled in him a deep love of both his community and his country. He joined the Marine Corps and graduated from basic training at Parris Island, SC in 1957 and was commissioned in 1961. He served with distinction during the Cuban Missile Crisis, embodying the Corps' values of honor, courage, and commitment. Those same values carried into his civilian career — first with Grace Line and Trailmobile, and later as founder and President of Utility Trailer Sales of NJ, Inc., which he established in 1985. His long, accomplished career was made possible through his strong integrity and incredible work ethic.

His proudest accomplishment was serving as co-founder of the "450 Club" — the home he and Elaine built and filled for decades with love, laughter, and happy chaos. Together they raised six children, and welcomed into that home 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, sons- and daughters-in-law, extended family, and countless friends. In his time at the head of the 450 Club, Larry instilled in everyone who walked through his doors the values he held dear — service, loyalty, and hard work - and was happy to welcome everyone into his home. He showed his love and devotion in countless ways — his steadfast support of each of his children, his deep investment in the lives and reading habits of his grandchildren, his faithful tending of Elaine's gardens, and his genuine love of history. He truly was, as Jesuit tradition dictates, a “Man for Others."

Larry is predeceased by his cherished granddaughter, Maureen Brigid Dwyer (2005); his beloved daughter, Laynie Charlotte Dwyer (2022); and his devoted wife and partner of 70 years, Elaine (2025), who was his steadfast companion and the great love of his life.

He is survived by his sister, Lyn Marie Dwyer; his children: Edward Dwyer and wife Jody of Asbury; Lawrence R. Dwyer, Jr. and wife Maureen of Somerville; Gamble Dwyer of Clinton; William Dwyer and wife Erin of South Carolina; and Lyn Spataro and husband Joseph of Utah. He is also survived by his grandchildren: William, Lawrence, Shawn and his wife Carly, Casey, Patrick, Stephen, Katie and her husband Kyle, Arthur, Martha, Mary, Ruthie, and Hope; and his great-grandchildren, Clayton and Callahan.

Larry Dwyer was the kind of person you meet only once in a lifetime — remembered by his children for his love and support, by his sister for his light and humor, and by his grandchildren for his passion for books and history. All who knew him will forever treasure his quiet strength, unwavering devotion, and the open door he kept for anyone who needed it. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of Lawrence R. Dwyer, Sr. to The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, PA.

Visitation will be held from 2-5PM, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at the Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM, Monday, March 23, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, NJ. Cremation will be held privately.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lawrence R. Dwyer, Sr., please visit our floral store.