Laurence B. White Jr., 73, a teacher, author, and lifelong magician, died Sunday, December 21, 2008 at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton after a period of failing health. He was the husband of Doris E. (Pickard) White. Born in Norwood, Larry was a lifelong resident of Stoughton, graduated from Stoughton schools, and received his degree in Biology from the University of New Hampshire. After serving in the US Army, he spent ten years at Boston's Museum of Science before working 33 years as the Director of the Science Center for the Needham school system, retiring in 1998. During this time he wrote more than 30 science/magic books. While education was his profession, magic was his passion. Larry was a devoted member of the magic community as an editor, author, and inventor of tricks. He received several awards from the International Brotherhood of Magicians and was a member of the Society of American Magicians for 53 years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons: William White of Wilton NH, and David White and his wife Laurie of Berkley MA. He was the grandfather of Nicholas, Hadley, Jeanette, Daniel and Timothy White.
Private services were held. Tax-deductible donations in his memory, designated for the Larry White Society of Young Magicians Fund and made payable to the S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund, may be sent to Brad Jacobs, Chairman, S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund, 234 Towyn Ct, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002.