Leonard M. Kotler
1934 - 2013 MANCHESTER CENTER Leonard M. Kotler, 79, a resident of Deer Meadow Road, passed away Monday, April 29, 2013, at Equinox Terrace in Manchester.
Len was born in New Brunswick, N.J., on April 23, 1934, the son of Kalman and Rose (Horowitz) Kotler. He was educated in New Brunswick schools, graduating from New Brunswick High School in 1953. In 1958, Len earned his bachelor's degree at Trenton State Teachers College (now the College of New Jersey), and received a National Science Foundation fellowship to complete his Masters in Education at Texas A & M University in 1968.
Len was a Science and Biology teacher in West Islip, Long Island, N.Y. After 34 years of teaching, Len and his wife, Becky retired to their home-away-from-home in Manchester Center, in 1992.
In retirement, Len became a valued member of the Manchester Newcomers Club, the Lions Club, and the Batten Kill Valley Runners, and spent ample time skiing, volunteering and working at the nearby Bromley Mountain Resort. Len was honored with the Melvin Jones award, the highest award for a Lions Club member, and the Unsung Hero Community Service Award (along with wife, Becky) through the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Among Len's many interests were traveling, cooking, skiing, and vegetable gardening, and Len was a devoted baseball and New York Yankees fan.
Len took pleasure in introducing friends and family to the joys of nature and the outdoors through hikes and other adventures in the Manchester area. As an avid runner, Len took particular pride in founding the Lion's Club Loyalty Day 5K in 2001, and reviving the Maple Leaf Half Marathon in 2006.
Len enjoyed spending time with his family and always went out of his way to arrange get-togethers and reunions wherever he travelled.
Len passed on peacefully from complications of metastatic melanoma, surrounded by treasured friends and family.
Len is survived by his wife, Gail Rebecca "Becky" (Griffing) Kotler of Manchester Center, whom he married Aug. 24, 1962 in Sayville, Long Island; brother Stephen Kotler and his wife, Dorothy, of Kendall Park, N.J.; nephew, John Dreher of Sayville, N.Y.; nieces, Dana Dreher-Cheyne and her husband, Curt Cheyne of East Moriches, N.Y., Cindy Browder and her husband Andy Koppisch of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Kristy Edwards and her husband, Stephen, of San Francisco, Calif., and eight great-nieces and nephews.
Len was predeceased by his sister, Elaine Browder in 1978.
Becky's sister, Dail Patricia "Patty" Dreher of Bay Shore, N.Y., brother, Jay Griffing, of East Quogue, N.Y., and dear friend, David Pardo of Manchester, were invaluable in the care and assistance they provided to Len and his family.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of the life of Leonard M. Kotler will be announced at a later date. There will be no visiting hours.
If friends desire, gifts in Leonard's memory may be made to the Lions Club of Manchester, Vermont or Manchester Health Services, c/o Brewster & Shea Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of BREWSTER & SHEA FUNERAL SERVICE, 34 Park Place, Manchester Center, Vt.
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Published in Bennington Banner on May 6, 2013
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