Plumbing is in Larry Levine’s DNA.

As a third-generation plumber, a father of four and grandfather of seven, Larry serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Plumbing Foundation, City of New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the mission of the plumbing industry.

“This is a unique organization that covers all facets of the plumbing industry, and the mission is to serve as a unified voice for all of our members,” said Larry, a Brooklyn native who serves as a Principal of The PAR Group, a family-owned and family-operated mechanical contracting firm. “Safe plumbing work is critical to construction operations and the creation of new housing units, new economic activity and new jobs for New Yorkers, and I am proud to support our members as we create new business opportunities and improve the quality of life throughout the five boroughs.”

As an apprentice guided by his father, Larry rose through the ranks as a Local 1 plumber, then a field superintendent before moving into a leadership role at his family’s company. Today, with more than 300 employees and offices in Lynbrook, Manhattan, and Mountainside, NJ, Larry operates the century-old business with his brothers, Peter and Martin, and the trio plan on passing the business down to their sons, David, Jeffrey and Jesse.

New technology has improved plumbing operations overall, Larry said, but sound infrastructure is the key to any construction project, and that’s why the Plumbing Foundation has called for a moratorium on the prohibition of new natural gas hookups in the City.

“With so many new buildings being built, the electrical grid is overwhelmed, and the need for a more robust system is causing our rates to skyrocket,” Larry said. “Natural gas is the most abundant source of power we have today, and by using it, we can avoid a potential financial disaster for New Yorkers.”

For Larry, plumbing is a way of life, and he enjoys sharing his expertise and experience with fellow industry members. However, his true passion is supporting our community’s most vulnerable members.

He serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Sunrise Association, which provides free summer day camps for children with cancer and their siblings around the world. The organization has 13 locations – with three in Israel and 10 across the United States including Melville, NY.

“It’s a wonderful organization that gives these brave kids a chance to be kids again,” Larry said. “The day camps allow children to enjoy camp activities while continuing their medical treatment, and I encourage others to support their mission.”

An avid golfer, Larry organizes an annual golf outing to raise money for the Sunrise Association Day Camp on Long Island, which was formed nearly 20 years ago.

“The more money we raise, the more children can enjoy their childhood,” he said.