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ALLEN GRIBETZ Obituary

GRIBETZ--Allen Lester, the brightest of lights, died peacefully at home Thursday, May 18, 2023 at age 93. Lester's laugh could open anyone's heart and his kind caring nature captured everyone he came into contact with. A legend in the fields of retail and home furnishings, Lester served as vice chairman of Bloomingdale's, senior vice president of Macy's, president of Waterford/ Wedgwood's Dansk, and finally as president of Lenox. He was even more legendary in his family, however; his warmth, intelligence, kindness, generosity, charisma, curiosity, loyalty, and contagious laughter made him everyone's favorite uncle, great-uncle, and great-great-uncle. Predeceased by his partner of 20 years Time Mensch, siblings Dennis and Florence Gribetz, Rhoda Gorfaine, and Robert Soffes, and nephews Allen Gribetz and Elliot Soffes, Lester is survived by his loving husband Andy Peters, his sister Harriet, his nieces and nephews Kenneth, Judy, Jessica, Michael, and Rhonda Gribetz, Diane and Michael Gorfaine, Diane Goldkopf, Anne Soffes Blount, and their many children and grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 with a memorial service to be announced at a later date. Donations in Lester's name can be made to his favorite charity Gods Love We Deliver.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on May 21, 2023.

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2 Entries

Vincent D Terry

June 9, 2023

I worked for at Lenox for six years and he was the best friend that anyone could ever have,even though I worked for him as a driver, he never introduced as his driver. He would always say this is my friend Vince. He helped me in so many ways and the children in foster care in New Jersey. He was a part of my family and we will truly miss him.Lester could describe a dinnerware pattern better than anyone that I even heard before and I probably would never hear anyone else that could do it the way he did. Rest in peace my Friend. My condolences to his family.

Susan Cohen

May 22, 2023

Lester inspired me as one of his Bloomingdale´s trainees.
I had a fabulous career at Bloomingdale´s and Bergdorf Goodman after being one of his students.
We all loved him

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