Lawrence (’55) and Eleanor Schwartz (’70) Butner

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We met in June 1951 at a party at the Roosevelt Grill, where Guy Lombardo was performing. Larry Butner, an evening student at CCNY Downtown, was invited by his fraternity brother, Henry Karp. Both were members of Gamma Eta Sigma, an evening fraternity.

Eleanor Schwartz was graduating from Bronx Science. The party was for her friend, Esther. At the last minute, one boy could not attend and Larry was the replacement.

During the summer of 1951, we started dating, going out with other students from CCNY and the fraternity. Eleanor enrolled at the University of Michigan and was starting in September 1951. She was also accepted at CCNY Uptown.  To continue this blossoming romance, Eleanor gave up her place at U. of Michigan and enrolled at CCNY Downtown, day session.

As we dated, the Korean War heated up. Draft deferrals became a significant topic. Larry lost his deferral in January 1952 and was drafted into the Marine Corps. He served two years. One week after his release, in January 1954, we were married. Larry returned to CCNY. Eleanor dropped out shortly after we were married. Larry graduated in June 1955. Fifteen years later, Eleanor completed her degree. During the years Eleanor spent at home, there were two children to raise.

Over the years, we continued our education. Larry went to Brooklyn Law School at night (JD ‘59) and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1960. However, his entire career was in advertising. 

Eleanor attended Manhattanville (MAT ‘72), and then Teachers College (MEd. ‘77). Between 1970 and 1980, Ellie worked as a teacher and then as a school principal. From 1980 to 2003, Ellie and Larry were partners in Lawrence Butner Advertising. 

This romance started in 1951 when Larry asked Ellie to dance. Now that we’re married 52 years, retired, and have three grandchildren, we are taking dancing lessons and continuing our romance.