Leonard Trupin

Lenny (Aryeh) Trupin, a deeply loved partner, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, sensitivity, and quiet strength.
Lenny was one of five children born to Daniel and Edith Trupin. As the eldest, he carried his role in the family with loyalty, steadiness, and love. He is survived by his brothers, Richard and Kenny, and his sister Carol. He was predeceased by his sister Ann.
Born in New York, Lenny was a shy child whose father believed music would help him find his voice. In the 1950s, he gifted Lenny a Selmer Alto Saxophone — an instrument that became a meaningful part of his early life. Years later, the saxophone was donated to Jazz at Lincoln Center, honoring both his history and the enduring power of music in his life.
Some of Lenny’s happiest childhood memories were shaped by ferry trips from New York to Bayonne, New Jersey, where the family visited their maternal grandparents. He could often be found running freely among the pigeons, completely at ease. His love for animals was evident from a young age; throughout his childhood, the family home welcomed many pets, all of which benefited from his gentle and caring nature.
As the eldest sibling, Lenny remained steady and present for his family throughout his life. He experienced the world with great emotional depth and was profoundly affected by injustice and the suffering of others. His empathy guided how he moved through life and how he connected with those around him.
A creative spirit, Lenny was also a talented photographer who found beauty in everyday moments. Through his lens, he captured the world with sensitivity and thoughtfulness, preserving memories that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
For many years, Lenny shared his life with his beloved companion, Mary Rodriguez, who predeceased him. He was a caring and attentive partner whose loyalty and quiet presence were constants in their life together. Their relationship was a source of strength, comfort, and enduring connection.
He was especially close to his cousins Dan Trupin and Sophie, who remained part of his life over the years. After a serious accident in a previous year, they stepped in to help care for him during his recovery, reflecting the deep loyalty and enduring bonds that shaped his life.
In the final year of his life, Lenny’s health began to shift in ways that were difficult to fully understand. During this time, Diane Crowe and Eric Bergman (Yochanan) both stepped in to help care for him, offering their support and presence when he needed it most. Their kindness reflected the deep friendships that surrounded him throughout his life.
Throughout this transition, his sister Carol devoted herself to ensuring he was safe and supported. When Medicare coverage for his stay at a skilled nursing facility was nearing its end, she worked diligently to find a senior living community where he could continue receiving care. Her persistence and love ensured that Lenny experienced stability, dignity, and the support he needed during his final chapter.
Even as his circumstances changed, Lenny remained himself. He continued to stay in touch with friends and family, reaching out in his own way and maintaining the relationships that had always meant so much to him. Connection was central to who he was, and he held onto it with heart.
Berkeley was one of the places where Lenny felt most comfortable and accepted. There, he built a wide circle of friendships and community. He was one of the founding members of the Aquarian Minyan, a pioneering Jewish Renewal congregation in the Bay Area. In Berkeley, Lenny also intersected with those pursuing new forms of Jewish spirituality and studied with a group of scholars and community lay leaders at the Graduate Theological Union, focusing on Jewish mysticism. This exploration reflected both his intellectual curiosity and his deep spiritual sensitivity, and it became an important dimension of his life. Over time, as he experienced the loss of many friends, he carried that grief quietly — a reflection of how deeply he loved and valued those in his life.
Over the years, many people showed up for Lenny — a testament to the way he personified friendship. He offered loyalty, presence, and genuine care, and those who knew him responded in kind.
Lenny was a loving and proud uncle to his nieces, Danielle and Rochelle, and his nephews, Dani and Marc, all of whom he loved deeply and remained closely connected to throughout his life. He took great joy in encouraging their interests and celebrating their growth. In a gesture that reflected his belief in the power of music, Lenny gifted Rochelle a violin — a gift that helped inspire and nurture her love of music. He also shared his deep appreciation for music with his niece Danielle, introducing her to artists such as Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell, whose songs she came to cherish because of him. These quiet acts reflected the thoughtful ways Lenny supported the people he loved.
Lenny held a special role as godfather to Zebulon, a relationship he cherished deeply.
Lenny will be remembered for his sensitivity, kindness, creativity, and quiet strength. His memory lives on in the hearts of his family, cousins, nieces, nephews, godson, friends, and all who were touched by his gentle presence. May his love continue to reverberate in the world like his music.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Lenny’s memory to Jazz at Lincoln Center, honoring his lifelong connection to music.