Dear Community, It’s time to celebrate a life well lived and peace well earned. We would like for you to please post a memory in honor of Lenny. The below is written in collaboration with Lenny’s family. 

Dear Friends and Family, 

I wrote my daughter Jennifer's birth announcement from her perspective so I think it’s only fitting that I let her and my son, Michael write my obituary from my perspective. 

In the witching hours of 10-13-2021, I departed to go on my next adventure. I safely left my body and have since journeyed on.  So far, things have been busy on the astral plane. To my surprise, I suddenly felt more alive than ever!  With this renewed energy I made sure to visit all my favorite spots again: like Turkey, Mexico and Ocean State Job Lot.

I’ve been checking in on Suzanne more frequently than she would like. So much so that I scared the alligator away so she could enjoy the ducks by the pond -- though she has yet to thank me even once! Taking care of all the non-physical after life things has proven pretty time consuming … but, what is time? Well that’s for another time. 

Anyway, I really appreciated how many people showed up to the service. Eli, you did a SUPER job! 

My feelings about my life on earth are like trail mix - there was epic chocolate moments and some shriveled raisin times too.

It is what it is and now it was what it was.

I think my advice would be for you all to live in joy. To think of me in your heart, smile and most importantly: value and cherish the business of living without fear. I hope this coming new year is the best one yet for you all. 

A quote from a book on my office shelf that really hits home: 

“Time is all you have … and you may find one day that you have less than you think.”  -Carnegie Mellon Professor, Randy Paucsch. Pro tip - Quoting teachers makes you seem smart. 

The High Level Points 

My Alias - Leonard Alan Saltzman, also known as Little Lenny, Zadie (to Gavin and Jake), Len and “The Viper” to a special few (1?).

Born - 03/25/1950. Years later, I let my sister, Ruthie also share my birthday. 

Best Assets - Bedroom eyes and a great smile. 

A few things I collected - mitzvah kippahs, seed stage start-ups and cool gadget gizmos . . .

Basics - With Eastern Jewish roots, I grew up and spent most of my life in the Capital Region. I lost my father, Herman Saltzman at twelve and a half, and my mother, Florence Chernin, at 24 years old. I had to step up as the head of the family, as the oldest of three siblings, Ruth and Marc. (That meant I bossed them around a lot). I graduated from Albany High School in ‘68 and was on the debate team and the forum club. I was an intern at Senator Edward Brooke’s office and he knew my name. I graduated from Univ. of NY at Buffalo in ‘71 with a double major in Economics and Poli Sci. I worked for the Mario Cuomo Administration in Albany as an economist.  

I acquired a number of businesses -- a cleaning business that serviced Caldors (remember them?), an answering service, a pager company (remember those?) Tucker's Laundry Service and I ran the Cook Adult Home for 30 years. 

I was president of the Schenectady JCC board for several years. While there I led in the push through a large expansion project including a pool. It’s something I'm quite proud of. Though, the meetings were pretty impractically timed. Wednesday night? That’s game night-- I can't be late to Pinochle! I was also on the boards of AgudatAchim, Independent Benevolent Society and B'nai B'rith. What can I say? I kept busy and have a strong sense of community.

I was an avid debater - who doesn’t like to argue for the sake of it? I could see all the sides and then pick the one I liked the best! I was proud of my best negative debate trophy. I’m funny and my kids would say corny dad funny. 

“If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?”

“If an orange is orange, why isn’t a lemon called yellow?” 

“Why is the alarm clock going ‘off’  when it actually turns ’on’?”

What do you think? 

I was known to tell a pretty good story -- and sometimes I would retell it to you in case you weren’t listening.  One of my favorite activities was traveling, and I enjoyed putting pins in my world travel map my kids got for me. I  especially loved trips to Mexico, where Suzanne and I went dozens of times. Who can remember exactly after all those pina coladas? Did you know they’ll bring them right down to the beach for you?

I loved to eat, to study history, to make investments, collecting art, walking, doing puzzles, swimming in the ocean, and feeling gooooood music.  I belly laughed. Man, life has a lot to offer. Netflix does too -- much easier than recording on a VHS tape. 

Someone asked me recently if I was a glass half full or half empty kind of guy and I answered the glass was broken. Haha but in truth, I think I am eternally an optimist. I’d have to be to have invested in Elvis’s hair or so many timeshares - but they offered free lunch, how could you say no? 

Oh, my kids! Of course, I was so very proud of them. Just to make sure everyone knew it, I would tell whoever would listen about my daughter Jen's good marriage or my son Mike's business success. Of course, I taught them everything they know. Unless they got into trouble-- then it was their mother’s fault. 

To my daughter's Jeanine, Kristin and Aubry, I wish you a fabulous life of happiness and adventure. To Jennifer, live your passion and to Mike, I'll be pulling strings as I can to help you meet a mate but you're going to have to pay for the first few dates. No going "havzies". 

If you go to the bottom of what was my shirt drawer, you’ll find a poem, 

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me 

To be a happy one. 

I’d like to leave an afterglow 

Of smiles when life is done. 

I’d like to leave an echo 

Whispering softly down the ways. 

Of happy times and laughing times 

And bright sunny days. 

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, 

To dry before the sun. 

Of happy memories that I leave 

When life is done. 

In the moments when I reflect upon the things in life that brought me happiness… you come to mind. I have enjoyed your presence, my friends, my family, my Jewish community.  You should not be sad for I have had a full life. I have lived in humor, learned in pain and loved my children. Please celebrate with me in your hearts. I hope for all of your big wins and white elephants to come in. Who knows, I might meet you in the future, after a long while, welcoming you with open arms onto your next journey too. 

In summary, 

“Life. . . It was delicious!” 

Love you all,

Lenny 

P.S. Ruthie if you're still reading this . . . think of me as visiting a country far away with no internet or cell service. My soul is alive. Life doesn't die. Life lives. Dry your tears and go out and enjoy every bit of yours which includes going out to eat and relishing every bite.