Terry Ellen Fixel's Obituary
Fixel, Terry Ellen, age 60, died on April 25, 2016 in New York City of complications from pancreatic cancer surgery. Terry was born in New York City to Dorothy and Maurice Fixel and grew up in Hollywood, Florida. After graduating with honors and earning her law degree at the University of Miami, Terry began honing her trial skills at the Miami Dade State Attorney's office before joining her father's law firm, Glasel, Meyer, Leben, & Fixel. After litigating complex jury trials involving medical malpractice, products liability, federal civil rights, and commercial disputes, Terry's passion was ignited by family law to which she dedicated the last thirty years of her career at Fixel & LaRocco, which she founded in 1985 with her beloved husband August (Gus) LaRocco. Finding it hard to say "no" to a client, Terry's staggering caseload made her a familiar presence at the Broward County Courthouse. Darting like a whirlwind from courtroom to courtroom (dressed always in fabulous shoes!), Terry would argue motions, try cases, and cajole opponents, judges, and court staff into seeing things her way. With a brilliant mind that fired at warp speed, Terry could conceive (and desimate) legal arguments just as quickly as she could come back with a witty retort or hysterical story in conversations with her friends. A formidable litigator who fought ferociously for her clients, Terry also maintained a busy appellate practice, handling several hundred state and federal appeals during her career. While demanding the best of her opponents, Terry demanded even more of herself. She was a generous mentor, always willing to help a colleague with a legal question, and she influenced a generation of young lawyers with her flawless trial preparation and dedication to her clients and profession. Despite rock star status among Broward County divorce lawyers, Terry's greatest happiness came from her personal life. Her 40-year love affair with her husband and soulmate Gus LaRocco was a source of great joy to Terry. And she reveled in the accomplishments, beauty, and brilliance of her talented daughters, Dr. Danielle LaRocco of New York City, and Samantha LaRocco, of Los Angeles, and her son-in-law Zack O'Malley Greenburg. In addition to her husband and children, Terry is survived by her mother Dorothy Fixel, her brother David Fixel, her dedicated staff at Fixel & LaRocco, and the friends and colleagues with whom she shared the gift of her wit, loyalty, and zest for life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (jwv.org) or the charity of your choice.Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28th at Levitt-Weinstein Beth David Chapel, 3201 NW 72nd Avenue, Hollywood FL 33024.
What’s your fondest memory of Terry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Terry?
Share a story where Terry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Terry you’ll never forget.
How did Terry make you smile?