Gregory Paul Lesch

Gregory Paul "Greg" Lesch, 62, of Brattleboro, died peacefully with his beloved family at his side on Feb. 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. Greg was born in Saginaw, Michigan on Aug. 17, 1962 to Louise (Drew) and Frank Lesch. Along with his sister Barbara, two years his senior, he was raised in Saginaw, and later in Shelton and Middletown, Connecticut, before the family moved to Brattleboro in 1974 where his father opened the J.C. Penney Department Store on Putney Road. His mother managed the household and was active in the community. There was never any doubt that Greg was a consummate performer. His deep passion for theater - both in front of and behind the curtain - began in early middle school and continued throughout his time at Brattleboro Union High School's theater department. Greg graduated from BUHS with the Class of 1980 and went on to study theater at the University of Vermont, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1984. While at UVM he performed as an extra in Exposed, a movie filmed in Burlington. He was also cast in several films through the film department at Marlboro College. He did graduate work in the theater at Yale University and abroad at Queens College at Oxford in London, England. By the time he joined the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce staff at the turn of the century, Greg had already played many roles in our community; first at the Guilford Country Store and later as a long-term employee at Zephyr Designs in downtown Brattleboro. He was also brought on by internationally acclaimed pianist Rudolf Serkin to assist the aging musician at his Guilford farm through his post-performing years. Greg was known for his warm and welcoming nature - qualities that served him well throughout his time at the Chamber. Greg served that organization and its mission devotedly for more than 20 years. His invaluable support of executive directors Betsy Gentile, Jerry Goldberg, and Kate O'Connor positioned him well to make the executive directorship his own four years ago and until his death. Indeed, he was a one-man "Welcome to Brattleboro Wagon." Greg was active from its inception with the Actors' Theatre Playhouse of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, organized in the late 1980s by Sam Pilo with the assistance of Betty Frye. In addition to acting, he performed as both producer and director, lending his keen eye and ear to others' productions, and often assisting young performers treading the boards for the first time. Additionally, he was part of a cabaret group including Christopher Wesolowski, Paul Dedell, and Karla Baldwin that appeared in venues in New York City, Boston, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as well as locally at the Latchis Ballroom and at the former Mole's Eye Café. Greg helped produce a CD, It Isn't Nice, that was recorded by Sound Design in Brattleboro. Finally, for several recent years Greg lent his voice and impeccable diction to the emerging e-book recording industry. In addition to his great love of show business, Greg adored animals. This led him to years of service on the board of directors of the Windham County Humane Society. He also enjoyed gardening and training his trusty Leica on all things Brattleboro (many of the photographs in the annual Chamber Guides were taken by Greg). And most of all he loved his family and friends. And his Brattleboro. Greg was a communicant of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. He was a member of the Vestry for a number of years and served on a Discernment Committee. Greg was a thurifer and served as an altar assistant. He loved the Church liturgy and music, and especially the Lessons and Carols. On March 16, 2020 in Dublin, Ireland, Greg was married to Brian Thomas Bannon, who survives. He and Brian had shared their life and love for 20 years prior to exchanging wedding vows. Greg leaves his sister, Barbara Kinsman-Puffer of Vernon, two special nieces, Kelsey Kinsman of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Meghan Kinsman of Brattleboro, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his mother and father. A Mass of the Eucharist in celebration of his life will be conducted on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church followed by a reception at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro VT 05302; or to the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce's Skills for Success Scholarship Fund, 180 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. The scholarship was set up in 2009 to assist graduating high school seniors in furthering their job skills development. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gregory, please visit our floral store.