Lawrence Mackler

Lawrence "Larry" Mackler passed away on November 14, 2025, in Springfield, his beloved hometown of 97 years. Larry was born on March 10, 1928, to Harry and Sadie Mackler, immigrants who built a successful small business, Mackler's Market, on Dickinson Street. Larry was the last survivor of five siblings - Harold "Mickey" Mackler, a dentist, Leslie Mackler, a pharmacist, twin brother Charles "Charlie" Mackler, well-known traveling salesman for the Mansfield Paper Company, and boisterous and irreverent sister Lucille, a teacher at Commerce High School.

He is survived by his extremely beloved wife Miriam "Mitzi" (née Colton), of Springfield, son Robert and daughter-in-law Jane, of Belmopan, Belize, daughter Linda of Natick, and son Phillip and daughter-in-law Dairne, of Longmeadow, as well as grandson Harrison of Chicago and granddaughter Mollie, of Durham, North Carolina.

Larry and Charlie were well-known in the 1940's on the Springfield baseball and basketball scene as the Mackler Twins. Larry's crowning achievement was hitting a home run out of the Springfield Giants stadium, Pynchon Park. Larry gained a Master's degree at AIC in the early 1950's, which was unusual for the era. Although he had hoped to pursue a teaching career, he set that dream aside to support his growing family. He went on to build a long and respected career in the insurance industry, helping countless people navigate policies with patience and care. Remarkably, after retiring in the 2000s, Larry returned to his early passion and finally became a teacher, embracing the role with enthusiasm and dedication.

He was a dedicated member of the Kodimoh Synagogue and then the Beth El Temples in Springfield. Larry was firmly rooted in his life of place and family.

Because Larry cared about his religion and community , the family invites those wishing to honor his memory to consider a donation to either Beth El Temple, 979 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108 or Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow MA 01106