Joseph J. Lesko

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Joseph Lesko Obituary

Joseph J. Lesko

AGE: 88 • Franklin Park

Joseph J Lesko, 88, passed away Friday, December 04, 2015 at his home in Franklin Park, New Jersey. Mr. Lesko was born April 11, 1927 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania the son of John and Mary (Troyan) Lesko. He settled in Franklin Park three years ago, after living in Jamaica Queens, NY since the 1960's. Joseph is a parishioner at St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Kendal Park and was a parishioner at St. Michaels Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Shenandoah, PA and Sacred Heart Church in Queens where he was a Lector and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the VFW, AMVETS and the American Legion. Entering the Army in 1944, Joseph received engineering training at Carnegie Institute of Technology and VA Polytech. After studying Japanese at the University of Minnesota and Yale, he further trained in counter-intelligence and served 30 months in Japan. On the GI Bill, Joseph obtained Bachelors degrees in economics, political science and history from Yale University in 1951 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1953. Joseph began working as a consultant on accounting, financial, and control matters for Pepsi Cola International Limited that covered six international divisions which whetted his appetite for world traveling. Afterwards, he lived and worked in Columbia, South America for Facomec, a manufacturer of copper wire and cable. After returning to the USA in 1960, he worked for Blyth Eastman Dillon and Delafield Childs on Wall Street. Perhaps it was his love of philatelics that eventually led him to employment with the US Postal Service, from which he retired in 1993. Mr. Lesko was a passionate stamp and coin collector; and was also an avid traveler, having stopped at many post offices around the world to collect his stamps. Joe was also fluent in Japanese and Spanish, and was conversational in French and Portuguese.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lesko of Franklin Park; his daughters, Pat Fenner and her husband Paul of GA and Cathi Brandon and her husband Rod of AZ; his brother, Thomas Lesko of CT; his sister, Joan Peters and her husband John of Northport, NY; his grandchildren, Christopher, Lauren, Joshua, Matthew, Hope, and Cayla; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held at Gleason Funeral Home 1360 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 08873 on Thursday, December 10th, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 11th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Saint Michaels Cemetery in Shenandoah, PA. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to be made in Mr. Lesko's name to St. Michael's Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 114 S Chestnut St, Shenandoah, PA 17976 or to a charity of your choice.

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Published by Home News Tribune on Dec. 9, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Lesko

3 Entries

Matt & Helen Ewankiw

December 16, 2015

Dear Mary, Patti, Cathie & Families. Our Heartfelt Sympathy for your Loss. We hold dear all the fond memories of Joe on your vists to Teulon & Russell. He was very special. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Maryann Weachock

December 10, 2015

Dear Aunt Mary, Pat, Cathi and families,

Wishing you strength in all the days ahead. Uncle Joe was a wonderful man and uncle! I will always remember him.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Love,
Maryann

"A letter from Heaven"
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say. But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through. God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on. I need you here badly, you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man,"God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do and foremost on the list was to watch and care for you. When you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years. Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too; that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain; then you can say to God at night. "My day was not in vain "and now I am contented that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low; just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind and when it's time for you to go from that body to be free. Remember you're not going, you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

December 10, 2015

Dear Mary,Patti, Cathie and families. We are truly sorry to hear of your loss. We will always have fond memories of Joe on your visits to Russell. His great sense of humour and story telling, and his genuine interest in everyone around him will be missed. Our prayers are with you and your families.

Robert & Dolores Muir
Russell Manitoba, canada

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