Lawrence J. Davidson, Sr. of Delray Beach, FL, formerly of New Britain, CT, died Friday, (June 26, 2009) at Delray Medical Center in Florida. He was born in Hartford, the son of the late Samuel and Rachel (Levine) Davidson, and lived most of his life in New Britain.

He was a graduate of Yale University and attended NYU graduate school and a US Army veteran. He was a member of Temple Beth Israel, West Hartford. He was the former Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the D & L stores and the Weathervane stores from 1953-99. He was President and member of the Board of Directors of Connecticut Retail Merchants Association from 1971-74; was a member of the Board of Directors of the Independent Stores Division of the National Retail Merchants Association 1971-76; member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce 1987-90; Chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners for New Britain from 1965-71; a member of the Republican State Central Committee for the Sixth Senatorial District from 1971-1976; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University 1977-91; he was awarded the title Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees for Connecticut State University on October 5, 1991. The main administration building for Central Connecticut State University was named for him in 1991; he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Connecticut State University in 1991; he served as Chairman when the four state colleges became the Connecticut State University under three governors.

He is survived by his wife, Adrienne (Krasnoff) Davidson; two sons, Attorney Lawrence J. Davidson, Jr. and his wife, Laura Santirocco of Farmington; Edwin W. Davidson and his wife, Carla of Southington; two daughters, Jodi Ann Davidson of Florida, Diana L. Davidson of Delray Beach, FL; two brothers, Donald Davidson of Bloomfield, and Philip Davidson of Farmington; a sister, Georgianne Pollowitz of New Britain; and six grandchildren. He also leaves his beloved dog Rudi.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30, at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, with Rabbi Michael Pincus officiating. Interment will follow in the Beth Israel Cemetery, Avon. Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut State University System Foundation, 39 Woodland St., Hartford, 06105; the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, #301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691; or American Association of Kidney Patients, 3505 East Frontage Rd., Suite 315, Tampa, FL. 33607.

Special thanks to all the doctors and health care professionals in Connecticut and Florida for their many years of wonderful care. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Larry with his family, please sign his guestbook at www.weinsteinmortuary.com .