Lewis F. Leslie: Longtime Cortlandt Resident

Lewis F. Leslie died on Monday, December 7th, in his home in Bennington, Vermont. He lived 7 months beyond his 100th birthday, and enjoyed 72 years of marriage to his dear wife, Estelle, who maintains that they never did have their first fight.

Born in Brooklyn in 1915, Lewis Leslie was the son of Jonah and Sadie Levy, and the younger brother of Arthur Leslie. The post-war shock of the Holocaust was enough to convince the brothers to change the family name from Levy to Leslie, in fear that if such horrific anti-Semitism happened in Germany, it could happen again even in the USA.

He graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Chemistry. He started as a chemist for Standard Coated Products in Buchanan, NY, in 1939, and continued to work there for forty years, the last five of which were in Hazelton, PA, where the company had moved when bought by American Cyanamid.

For the greater part his life he lived in the Town of Cortlandt, New York.

He and his wife, Estelle, were founding members of Temple Israel of Northern Westchester—the first Reform Temple in that region—in 1948. The Temple thrives to this day. He served for many years on the Town of Cortlandt Conservation Advisory Council, with a particular interest in the protection of wetlands. He was much appreciated by friends and family for his unfailing kindness, level-headed good judgment, and infectious sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Estelle M. Leslie, and four sons—Paul Leslie of Carrboro, North Carolina; Russell and Janice Leslie of Shaftsbury, Vermont; Kenneth and Robin Leslie of Hardwick, Vermont and Walter and Leslie Leslie of Westborough, Massachusetts. All told, there are 10 grandchildren (9 boys and 1 girl), 3 great-grandchildren so far and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of any special sympathies or attention, the family is content thinking that there may well be many in the community who will enjoy a sweet moment of remembering him, and knowing that sometimes a generous life can be filled with blessings that last a hundred years.