Portrait of a ‘good man’

Listen to this article

The image of U.S. District Court Judge David G. Larimer is already indelible in the minds of the people who know him — particularly his signature plaid sport jacket.

That image — including the jacket — is now forever preserved in a portrait unveiled Friday during a holiday celebration at the federal courthouse in Rochester.

And Judge Larimer was not the only one decked out in plaid. His son John, a local attorney, wore a jacket closely matching his father’s; as did the judge’s son-in-law, Brian LaPrade; and his six granddaughters sported plaid scarves in their debut choral performance.

Judge Larimer told the more than 100 people in an overflowing courtroom that the annual event has always been about thanking the various federal employees who assist the courts for their work throughout the year.

“This event has always been about the judiciary people and this year, I thought frankly, it should be more about me,” Judge Larimer joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Among those he specifically acknowledged were Eileen Aleo, his secretary of 30 years; long-time law clerk David Chapus; court reporter Christi Macri; and, coming in from Buffalo, Chief Judge William M. Skretny; and Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio, whom Judge Larimer kidded wanted to borrow his jacket for an event in Buffalo.

Judge Larimer congratulated Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. on the one-year anniversary of his Dec. 13 confirmation, and recognized Elizabeth A. Wolford, who was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday and will be joining the Western New York federal bench in a couple of weeks.

Judge Geraci is filling the vacancy of Judge Larimer who was elevated to senior status in March 2009, but maintained a full caseload until recently. Wolford is filling the vacancy of Judge Charles J. Siragusa; elevated to senior status a year ago, but also hearing cases.

“I guess I now have to call you Judge Wolford,” Judge Larimer said to Wolford. “All of us are just so anxious to have you join our court.”

Judge Larimer told Wolford he hoped she liked his portrait because it will be looking over her shoulder when she is on the bench.

He also noted Wolford will be the third federal judge sitting in Rochester who graduated from Notre Dame. The others are himself and former Judge Harold P. Burke who died in 1981.

“During the fall, we will have Notre Dame pep rallies,” Judge Larimer said.

Judge Larimer said he had some misgivings about the portrait process, but eventually got into it and was later asking artist George Palmer of Buffalo about revisions. He said after a couple of changes, Palmer said to him, “I can’t really change a lot of what God created,” which brought more laughter.

“Another disappointment,” Judge Larimer quipped, “is I was under the impression I could take it home.”

The portrait will remain in the courthouse in the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building on State Street.

Judge Skretny said it was an amazing turnout for the unveiling of the painting of a federal judge on Friday the 13th. He added he was honored to speak on behalf of his colleague.

He joked that Michael J. Roemer, clerk of the court, had the task of finding a stand-in for Judge Larimer’s portrait sittings and, after a quick search, succeeded with the Notre Dame leprechaun, complete with vest and green knickers.

One a more serious note, Judge Skretny said future judges can gaze at the portrait and ask WWDD — what would Dave do?

“What Dave would do is what is fair, what is right and what is just,” Judge Skretny said, noting Judge Larimer is known for his fairness, consistency and good humor. He said it was a pleasure to serve with Judge Larimer for more than two decades and that he is indebted to his wise counsel.

“Judge Larimer is an outstanding person who presides as an extraordinary judge,” said Assistant Federal Defender Mark D. Hosken, who has been representing defendants in front of Judge Larimer for almost 18 years.

He said Judge Larimer is always patient, never appears frustrated, realizes the defendants before him are people and tempers his sentences with mercy.

Chapus, who has worked with Judge Larimer for more than 24 years, said the judge is cognizant that everything he does affects people and their lives.

“I think that anybody that practices before him realizes that,” Chapus said, adding that the portrait creates a monument to Judge Larimer’s achievements, but that the real monument is the work he has done.

“He has done the best job he could,” Chapus said. “I hope we can help him build on that monument which is still very much a work in progress.”

John Larimer said he wanted to say something to his father that he often said to him.

“I’m proud of you,” he said choking up. “My father dedicated his life to this job and what this job comes with — making decisions on people’s lives that profoundly affect their lives. There is nobody whose character is better suited to make those kinds of determinations.”

Judge Larimer’s wife Karen joked that her husband even wanted to be called judge when they got married 46 years ago.

She said she knew the road would be remarkable with his depth, strength, intelligence, humor, unique fashion sense and the cool Dodge Dart convertible he drove.

Karen Larimer said she always knew her husband would do something meaningful with his life and that he started out with public service law, spending $70 when they were on a very tight budget, for a round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., to hand deliver his resume because he really wanted to clerk for the federal courts.

He clerked for Judge Joseph C. McGarraghy, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in 1969-70 and then joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, serving in D.C. until 1973 when he returned to the Western District of New York.

Judge Larimer, a native of Rochester, went into private practice in 1975. He also taught law at St. John Fisher College, his alma mater, and worked as a chief appellate assistant for the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, before becoming a U.S. Magistrate Judge in 1983.

He was nominated in 1987 by then-President Ronald Reagan to fill a newly created seat on the U. S. District Court for the Western District of New York and served as chief judge from 1996-2002.

“I’ve had a front row seat,” Karen Larimer said. “I could not be more proud. David George Larimer is a good man.”

Judge Larimer, still joking, then got around to unveiling the portrait.

“It’s not a digital photograph,” he reminded the audience. “It’s a likeness. The appropriate response is murmuring followed by applause. It makes me look boss. I don’t know what that means. My grandkids might.”

John Larimer, joined by his sisters Amy Larimer and Beth LaPrade, and Roemer pulled the cover off the portrait to reveal a slightly younger version of Judge Larimer sitting in his judicial robe with his beloved plaid jacket draped over the back of the chair.

Judge Larimer said it is his hope that he has made a difference; that he interpreted the law correctly and wisely. He said the portrait was special and would mark his work for years to come, but the most important thing in his life is his “beautiful family.”

He then introduced his daughter Amy Larimer and “a new group” making their first professional appearance: His six granddaughters: Emma, Grace and Mollie LaPrade, ages 15, 13 and 10, respectively; and Maya, Addie and Lily Larimer, ages 9, 7 and 5.

The girls, looking like stepping stones, standing tallest to smallest on the stage, sang “Silent Night,” accompanied by local attorney Paul Nunes on the ukulele. Each donned a plaid scarf in honor of the judge.