Name: Calling hours for NICHOLAS R. LESBINES
Start: 2017-07-07T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-07-07T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Doolittle Funeral Home

Nicholas R. Lesbines, 78, of Tolland, passed away on June 24, 2017 at his home. Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late Harry T. and Mary (Xenelis) Lesbines. Nicholas graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Hartt School of Music. He taught for 27 years at the South Windsor High School and was the Director of Music at Wapping Church. Nicholas was a lifelong musician, playing with many prominent celebrities including Ginger Rogers, Jerry Lewis, Patti Page, and The Mills Brothers. His all time favorite was playing in the orchestra for Lena Horne in "Lady and her Music". Nicholas was also an avid photographer, landscape architect and enjoyed reading. Nicholas is survived by two sons, Alexander N. Lesbines of Las Vegas, NV and Nicholas A. Lesbines of Baltimore, MD; one sister, Athena L. Nisotis and her husband Gabriel of Wethersfield; one uncle, Strato Xenelis of Cranford, NJ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Tele Lesbines. A private graveside service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown on Friday, July 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nicholas's memory may be made to Hartt School of Music, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com .

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Published by middletownpress from Jun. 30 to Jul. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for NICHOLAS LESBINES

Sponsored by MiddletownPress.com.

16 Entries

Janet Watson Scheible

June 25, 2024

Nick, you are still remembered to this day, will never be forgotten and always admired for your love of music! Rest in peace.

Audrey Nelson

January 27, 2018

Uncle Nick, as we called him, was an exceptional choral director, who drove us always to the highest limits of what we could do. Intense, passionate, and exacting, he had a temper like a sudden, terrible thunderstorm, that would shake the walls, and then pass completely, leaving him quite calm. We found him rather exciting, scary, and in the strange way of teenagers, funny. We also found that he really, really cared about us, each and every one. I believe his life was very hard, and I am sorry for that. I hope he has finally found peace, but I can't help think that a man like Nicholas Lesbines, who seemed to thrive on emergency situations, might find peace very boring.

B. Christensen

November 25, 2017

Mr. Lesbines touched my late brother's life dearly while teaching at SWHS. While I'm late to learn of his passing, I know Glen would wish to let his family know he was a respected and--in the case of my brother--even a loved teacher. South Windsor owes him a debt a gratitude for his many years of service and for building an excellent choral program as well. Condolences to his family this first holiday without him.

Janet Scheible

July 18, 2017

You will never be forgotten.

Janet Watson-Scheible

July 18, 2017

My condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Lesbines.

He meant a great deal to me and had a profound impact on my life. He was responsible for my music education from the first grade on. I sang in the Vocal Ensemble at SWHS and have so many fond memories of him. It is true he was a perfectionist, but more importantly he inspired us to reach for perfection and never to give up. I felt a true belonging and achievement from being under his instruction during those years. I still have my old Vocal music folder and the album we cut from our performance in Philadelphia back in 1975.

I treasure these memories and wonder if Nick really knew how many lives he impacted for good. I will never forget him and the love for music and singing that I still have today because of him.

At times he saw me when there was no one else in my life that did and he had a way of making you feel special. He loved his students well. Nick, thank you for your attention to detail, exceptional leadership and caring spirit. A light has gone out for us here, but it is my hope and prayer that he feels all the love, respect and admiration from all who loved him.

I can see him now -whipping the angel's choir into shape. Rest In Peace Mr. Lesbines. You will never be forgotten.

Janet Scheible
Plano, Texas

Choir, Vocal Ensemble 1974-1977

Marc Patten

July 14, 2017

A giant amongst high school choir directors. Nick was a rigid, perfectionist. He would never accept anything but our best, whether in high school Vocal Ensemble and Choral Spectrum, or the various is community and one time choirs I participated in over the years. He became a mentor and a friend. He taught so many of us not to give up and his endless "Analogies" became an inside joke in class to the point where we compiled multiple pages of them over the course of a year in 1985/86 and gave them to him as a gift (I still have the originals). He was tough, and often harsh, but his legacy will never be forgotten by those he influenced. RIP Nick Lesbines, your family and friends will miss you greatly.

Bev and Bob Bickford

July 4, 2017

Nick was an outstanding musician and teacher. I feel fortunate to have seen and spent some time with Nick this spring. Our sympathies go out to his family.

Christine Gelineau

July 3, 2017

Condolences on your loss. I have very fond memories of my time in Chorus at South Windsor High School with Mr. Lesbines directing.

Chuck Sheehan

July 3, 2017

I add my condolences to those expressed by the many friends and family members who have extended their sympathies. Nicholas was a thoughtful and a kind friend. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing but look back on fond memories of my experiences in his company.
Most Sincerely,
Chuck Sheehan

Christine McVey

July 3, 2017

I had Mr. Lesbines for Chorus while attending South Windsor High School. The highlight was when we made an album of all our songs. He was a great music teacher. Rest in Peace.

Patti (Jaworski) Coppola

July 2, 2017

I was very sorry to learn of Mr Lesbines passing. The years I spent singing in the vocal ensemble will remain memorable~he was an excellent music educator! My condolences to the family.

Pat Dillon

July 1, 2017

Condolences to the family at this time. I sang for Nick in two choirs for 4 years and manyOne Time Choirs at Wapping Church. He was exacting and a perfectionist but the lessons I learned served me well in singing in some of the best choirs in Connecticut my whole life. Thanks for the Musical memories especially the National Music Educators Convention in Philly.

Debra Donlon Achilli

July 1, 2017

Rest in Peace Mr. Lesbines

Gerald Marks

July 1, 2017

I was saddened to read of Nick's death. I was Director of Music in South Windsor when he was the choral director. Nick conducted many award winning concerts and also exceptional music shows. He showed true dedication to his students and had an outstanding reputation among music educators. Vivian and I send our deepest sympathy to his family
Gerald Marks

Gerald Marks

July 1, 2017

I was saddened to read of Nick's death. I was Director of Musiic in South Windsor when Nick was the choral director in the high school. He conducted many award winning choral concerts and exceptional musical shows. He had a true dedication to his students and an excellent reputation among music educators. Vivian and I send our deepest sympathy to his family. Gerald Marks

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