George Leeman Jr.

George Leeman Jr

George Leeman Jr, 70, a native of Ridgefield, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on February 21st after a 12-year battle with cancer

Born in New York City, George was the son of George and Evelyn Leeman Sr of Ridgefield   He attended Ridgefield schools and graduated as valedictorian and president of his class  George then attended Yale University on scholarship and graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and was a member of St Elmo's Society

Continuing at the University of Michigan, where he met Virginia, his wife of 47 years, George received his PhD in mathematics as a National Science Foundation Fellow   He spent his entire career as a computer science researcher at IBM's TJ Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY

A devoted family man, he helped coach his children's youth soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball teams He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be remembered for his amazing intellect, extraordinary musical talent, sense of humor and warm and generous heart

As the son of one of the founders of the Ridgefield Symphonette (later Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, RSO), he was the piano soloist for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Symphonette while in college He spent many years as a RSO board member, including a term as president, writer of program notes and publicity, and head of the search committee that brought the most recent music director to Ridgefield

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Jeffrey, of New York City, his daughter, Leslie Uhl with her husband, Trevor, of Fairfield, CT, and their children Carter, Charles, and Amelia, plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews His sister, Evelyn Martinez, predeceased him

George's interests included a passion for music, travel, Bridge with his wife as his partner, tennis, gardening, organizing high school class reunions, and word puzzles In particular, he created double crostic word puzzles for notable celebrations using software that he developed himself

A celebration of George's life will be held at St Stephen's Episcopal Church, 351 Main Street, Ridgefield, on Saturday, March 11th at 2:30pm A reception will follow in North Hall   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, 90 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements