Lee T. Hendryx

OLEAN - Lee T. Hendryx, 72, of McCann Hollow Road, Olean, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday (Dec. 29, 2023), at Olean General Hospital, after a courageous battle with renal failure.

Lee was born April 17, 1951, at the Mountain Clinic, Olean. He was the son of the late Robert and Kathleen Farrelly Hendryx Sr. On Jan. 21, 2005, Lee married the "love of his life," the former Sharon Babbitt.

Lee graduated from Olean High School in 1969 and he initially worked in construction. Lee was the owner-operator of Hendryx Trucking and contracted to Friendship Dairy. He built and owned the Snak Shack in Portville for many years, selling it to pursue a career in selling cars.

It was then that Lee really found his "calling" in life as he went from salesman to general sales manager in a short time. He retired from Schultz Auto Sales, where he was well known and respected. Anyone who had the pleasure to know Lee soon learned he had "the gift to talk."

Lee is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters, Leighanna Axelrod of Albuquerque, N.M. and Erica (Damien) Rzepka of Rochester; sons, Christopher Nolan of Machias and Mark (Erin) Nolan of Olean; his grandchildren, Solia, Isla, Liv, Aspen and Rowan Rzepka, Cameron, Ezra and Violet Axelrod; and special grandchildren, Tiffany and Ryan Nolan; several nieces and nephews, including two special nephews, Adam (Carie) Collins and Nick (Daisy) Collins; two brothers; a sister; and a very special sister, Donna (Bruce) Gustason.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 3, 2024) at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 4, 2024) at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice or to the Marie Lorenz Dialysis Center, Olean.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.