William J. Lenard

William J. Lenard, 77, resident of Kerhonkson, NY for 50 years, passed way October 3, 2012 in Amsterdam, NY. William was born December 7, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY; the second son of Isidor and Miraslova (Habjan) Lenard.

William graduated from St. Francis Xavier H.S., NYC (1952), and received his BA and MA degrees from Fordham University, NYC (1958 and 1970).

William taught Mathematics for 30 years in the Ellenville Central School System. He was instrumental as president of the Ellenville Teachers’ Association for 15 years where he fought proudly for the rights of teachers. Throughout his career he was a member of NYSUT and the AFT.

William was passionate about opera, chamber music, and symphonies, attending concerts most often in the Albany area. He designed and constructed his family’s house, and enjoyed woodworking, reading, and political discourse. William loved the English language and was emphatic that "zero" should be pronounced as "zero" and not "oh," and thought that one "very" was quite enough (we had to put this in, Dad!).

William was preceded in death by his daughter Jane (2008), and brothers Edward (2009) and Thomas (2012).

William is survived by his wife Diana of 56 years; children Douglas, Diana Secor

(Stephen; children Everett and Danielle), Karen (Martin Bradshaw), Susan

(Phillip Johnson), Jessica (children Melena and Mira), and Andrew (Enka Sodnom). He is also survived by an aunt (Milena), sisters-in-law (Mary and Jean), and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers his family requests memorial donations to Union College, Music Dept., Schenectady, NY; WAMC Public Radio Albany, NY; or Doctors Without Borders.

Visitation arrangements are at Loucks Funeral Home, 79 North Main Street, Ellenville, NY on Saturday, October 6th, and Sunday, October 7^th, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Mass will be held at St. Mary’s and St. Andrew’s Church, 137 South Main Street, Ellenville, NY on Monday, October 8, at 11 am.