LEONARD WURZEL

WURZEL--Leonard, On November 16, 2013, at the age of 95, after a short battle with lung cancer, he passed away at home in his beloved Sands Point. He was the proud Mayor of Sands Point for 22 years. Born in Philadelphia in 1918 he graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1939 and earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1941. He was drafted into the United States Army as a Private on September 18, 1941 and was discharged in 1946 as a Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with military operations from January 17, 1944 to May 8, 1945. On May 10, 2013 he was bestowed the Insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the Consulate General of France. In 1949 he married Elaine Cohen and after four years in Manhattan, in 1953, they moved to Sands Point with their young sons Mark and Larry. Leonard was employed by Loft Candy Corporation from 1946, serving as president from 1957 to 1964. Leonard founded Calico Cottage Candies in 1964, from which he retired in 1992. He was thrilled that his sons now run the business. Leonard has been president of Retail Confectioners International and the Association of Manufacturers of Confectionery and Chocolate. Leonard and Elaine have been members of the Community Synagogue since 1953 and have often been recognized for their devotion and involvement over the years. Leonard served on the Sands Point Board of Zoning Appeals in 1974 and became its Chairman in 1976. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1981. On April 17, 1989 he was appointed Mayor of Sands Point and served as elected Mayor until his retirement in June 2011. In 1994, he successfully negotiated the acquisition of the IBM country club by the Village of Sands Point, saving the waterfront property from developers. He is considered the Founder and Mentor of the Village Club of Sands Point. Leonard is survived by his wife, Elaine Cohen Wurzel, his two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Ellen Wurzel and Larry Wurzel and Elaine Gnessin. Grandchildren, Jill Wurzel Lekstutis and her husband Carmine Lekstutis, Max Wurzel, and Greg Wurzel and Greg's Mother, Martha Wurzel, and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Chloe Lekstutis. Funeral Services will be held at The Community Synagogue, 160 Middle Neck Rd, Sands Point, NY 11050 at 1:30pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2013. Telephone: (516) 883-3144, Web: commsyn.org. Burial will take place at Beth Moses Cemetery, Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704. Telephone: (631) 249-2290. After burial, on Tuesday, Shiva will take place at Leonard and Elaine Wurzel's home, until 8pm, with services at 7pm. On Wednesday and Thursday Shiva will take place from 3pm to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Synagogue.