Announcing the Retirement of Larry Brandimarto

Recently Head of School Julia de la Torre announced the retirement of Director of Physical Facilities Larry Brandimarto at the end of the school year. Below is her message to the community:

Dear MFS Community Members,

A learning community takes many forms and for more than two centuries the Moorestown Friends School learning community has benefitted from and enjoyed what today has grown to a 48-acre campus. It is difficult to explain and comprehend the amount of work that takes place year round to allow our campus to operate smoothly – and operate as a South Jersey landmark known as one of the most beautiful school campuses in the region. The buildings, grounds, and learning and activity spaces have always been a point of pride for our school and for 30 years Larry Brandimarto has overseen the care and maintenance of the campus we love as the Director of Physical Facilities. Larry will retire at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year but not without having left a lasting imprint on the campus.

In 1991, Larry was hired by and worked closely with then-Head of School Alan Craig, who made it a priority to transform and improve the physical appearance of the campus. Many upgrades and beautification projects took place which were bolstered by the opening of the Dining Hall Commons in 1997. The campus transformation continued during the tenure of Head of School Larry Van Meter (2001-18). Baiada Field House and Arts Center (2002) opened and a complete renovation of Diller Memorial Library (2003) took place. In 2008, the school purchased the former Greenleaf Retirement facility to allow for a westward expansion which now includes Hartman Hall and Van Meter Hall.

While the building projects were significant indeed, the amount of day-to-day work required to maintain the now 48-acre campus is daunting. The maintenance staff, under Larry’s leadership, has always been characterized by a can-do attitude and outlook even when the task list is never-ending. That is a credit to the organization and culture established by Larry.

Director of Finance and Operations Lisa Carbone Warren has worked with Larry for all 30 of his years. She reflected: “I am extremely appreciative of Larry for his hard work and dedication to making Moorestown Friends School the attractive place it is,” she said. “I am also grateful for his support personally and for creating a maintenance team who not only works hard but also is pleasant and friendly. Larry understands that his work (often behind the scenes) is valued and integral to the more visible work that goes on in classrooms and around our campus. I greatly admire Larry’s humor, patience, and willingness to cooperate and undertake projects of all scopes and sizes. He will be missed!”

Since the Head of School’s residence is on campus, I have a unique and wonderful 24-hour perspective on the sights and sounds of our school. I would like to personally thank Larry for making such a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of students and families who have enjoyed so many special moments on the MFS campus because of his care and incredible commitment to this community.

Please join me in wishing Larry well in retirement.

With gratitude,

Julia de la Torre
Head of School