Larry Brandimarto, Manager of Physical Facilities, is retiring after thirty years at Moorestown Friends School. He played a pivotal role in managing the grounds of the MFS campus, coordinating snow removal, and organizing sporting events.
In an interview, Brandimarto said that he will “miss his co-workers and everyone else who has worked for MFS.” He added that he is also going to miss “watching the students that he got to know grow from little three year old children to grown-ups.”
MFS faculty will miss Brandimarto dearly. He has worked at MFS for many years and has gotten to know the faculty well.
Steve Kolaris, Director of Technology, worked with Brandimarto since 1998. They have done numerous projects together over the years. Kolaris commented on how Brandimarto impacted Moorestown Friends School: “He saved the school thousands and thousands of dollars by allowing me to use his crew, coordinating different projects. I do not think all of the guys in his position would have done that. He really saw the value in being able to help out.”
Ruth Chen, Administrative Assistant to the Head of School, also worked closely with Brandimarto. She commented on his hardworking and charming personality: “He is very fun to be around: always very friendly, sharing funny stories…He also is someone that takes a lot of pride in his work; he always makes sure his job is completed on time and professionally.”
Chen also said that she is “gonna miss his laugh” and that she could always “hear his laugh before he came in.”
Over the years, Kolaris and Brandimarto became great friends and they would often go fishing together on Brandimarto’s boat. Kolaris told a story about the first time they went fishing together that he felt encapsulated Brandimarto’s personality.
“His nickname is Big Daddy because he calls everybody daddy [which is] just another very charming part of his personality. I asked him how I would know which boat was yours when I got to the marina and he said it’s gonna be the one that says Big Daddy. I laughed thinking he was joking, but funny enough when I got to the marina I saw around the corner came this guy with sunglasses and big muscles with Big Daddy written on the side of the boat next to him. We just started laughing because it just fits him so well.”
Brandimarto plans to have a busy yet relaxing retirement, fishing, hunting, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. “Between traveling, visiting my grandchildren, fishing, and hunting I am pretty sure I will be set. It is more than enough, but they always say that when you retire that you never have enough time to do everything that you want.”
