In June of 1929, Lemare moved to Odin Street in Hollywood, California. He deposited his savings in the Hollywood Savings and Loan Association.
Lemare’s house was adjacent to the Hollywood Bowl. He spearheaded the installation of an organ in the Bowl with the Moller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland. The cost would be covered by concert proceeds and $10,000 cash.
Contributions for the Hollywood Bowl organ were slow, and in October, the stock market crashed. Lemare lost everything including the hope of holding a steady position again. “My work went on the rocks, there were no more recitals, publishers were practically out of business as were the organ builders.” (OIHM p. 64)
At the encouragement of his wife Charlotte, Lemare busied himself by composing two Operettas. He stated: “I still live in hope that they will find a place some day.”
Frequent heart attacks began to affect Lemare’s health. On September 24, 1934, he died at the age of 69. He was buried in the Hall of Righteousness, Crypt Number 6691, at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.
E.Y Chapin
“Along with Lemare the artist, was Lemare the man. It was given to a few of us to know how companionable he was; how responsive to good fellowship; how generous in his contribution to conviviality; how sympathetically he fell into everyday relationship of friend to friend.” (OIHM p. 112)
London Musical Opinion
“We who are left and had the honor to know and love this great genius are rich in memories of his wonderful career, and as long as there are organs and organists, the name of Lemare will never die. There was something divine in his nature which not only enabled him to touch the very heart strings of his listeners, but has made his name immortal.” (OIHM p. 113)
In a little book entitled Sonnets and Love songs by George Graham Currie, appears this poem:
I chanced within St. Margaret’s yesternight,
A stranger saddened by the ills of life;
A fugitive from self and inward strife,
But proving even there a futile flight;
When lo! The holy house grew great with song
And angel voices broke upon my ear,
And I forgot that I was one and drear
And Soared triumphant over every wrong.
And as I listened to the magic strain
That filled and thrilled me with reviving hope,
What late seemed weakness with expanding hope,
Was now a power that made all barriers vain.
Thus recreated in impulsive prayer
I thanked the Eternal for thy art, LEMARE.