Larry B. Harelik

Larry (Leibel) Harelik passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018. He and his twin brother, Harry, were born in Waco to Margaret Rosen Harelik and Sam Harelik but they spent their early years in the family hometown of Hamilton, Texas. The Hareliks moved to Waco in 1951 where Sam and Margaret opened and operated a well-known men’s clothing store for over 30 years. Leibel as he came to be known in later years was a free spirit who knew no strangers. He was known to speak to almost anyone who passed him, always commenting on a stranger’s tie, dog, hat, dress or scarf. He spent a number of years working with his parents in the family clothing store but after the store closed in 1986, he traveled the world serving in the Israeli volunteer army, attending culinary training in Baltimore, and working as a kosher chef in Denver. When he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer 16 years ago, he immediately began researching cancer treatments and managed to try a myriad of treatments and trials that kept him fighting for life for almost two decades. He was predeceased by his parents, his paternal grandparents, Haskell and Matley Harelik, and his maternal grandparents, Louis and Bertha Rosen. He leaves with colorful memories his two sons, Noah Harelik, Adam Harelik and his wife Liz; his twin brother Harry Harelik and wife Beverly; his nephews Jarrod and Josh Harelik and Josh’s wife, Heather; his niece Alyssa Morrow and one great niece, Sophia Morrow; his ex-wife, Debb Harelik; and the mother of his sons, Gwen Harelik; Gwen’s sister, Paula Grimes, as well as his Aunt Dorothy Harelik and a host of Harelik and Rosen family cousins. Private family services are being held in Austin. Memorials in Leibel’s name may be made to Congregation Agudath Jacob, 4925 Hillcrest Drive, Waco, Tx 76710 or to any foundation or hospital specializing in prostate cancer research. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.