Larry A. Grika

Larry Grika, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, unparalleled lover of music and life, passed away on August 8, 2023 in Cherry Hill, NJ, surrounded by his family.

Larry was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 14, 1932. He graduated from Farragut High School and went on to attend Roosevelt University in Chicago, during which time he played with the Lyric Opera Orchestra. In 1956, Larry was drafted into the army and served 3 years in Washington DC. While in DC, he attended Catholic University where he received his Master’s degree in Music. After graduating, Larry was a violinist in the Cincinnati Symphony and taught at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio before moving to Philadelphia where he became a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1964. Throughout his time in the Orchestra, Larry taught chamber music, orchestra repertoire, and violin at Temple University, Bryn Mawr College and Glassboro College. He taught violin privately to hundreds of students over many decades and stayed in touch with most of them for many years. He took great joy and pride in teaching, encouraging and watching his students grow. In 2005, after 41 years with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Larry retired although he continued to play as a substitute with the Orchestra until he was 80 years old, in 2012.

Larry was truly one of a kind. Everything about Larry was infectious: his laugh, his warmth and his joy for life. He had the talent to craft the perfect stories – and then share them with others. He had a special gift of bringing everyone together with smiles on their faces. He was a man of many talents and passions including music, food, travel, family, friends, current events, sports and embracing all that life has to offer.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Pearl Grika (Millman); his cherished children and their spouses, Marc and Lisa Grika, Lauren and Mark Eyer, Debbie and Pepijn Driessen; his sister, Joyce Sklar and brother, Herb Grika, his nieces and nephews and all of his beloved grandchildren, Siona, Jared, Eve, Jonathan, Benjamin, Olivia, Jordan and Maya. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 10 at 12 noon precisely at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s, Raphael-Sacks, at 6410 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126. Interment Montefiore Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at his late residence from August 10 – 13 from 3pm-6pm.

Contributions in his memory may be made to The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, https://www.philorch.org/donate/#/levels//