Leonard I. Krimerman

ASHFORD

With great sadness and deep love, we announce the passing on December 31, 2025 of Leonard I. Krimerman, a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the

University of Connecticut. His beloved wife, Marian L. Vitali D.C., was by his side. Len was born in 1934 to Mina (Fields) and Samuel Krimerman of New York City.

At Cornell University, he earned his B.A. in 1955 and Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1964. During the 1960's, Len taught philosophy at Louisiana State University (LSU) in New Orleans and in 1968 he began an impactful career teaching in the Philosophy Department at UCONN. He was dedicated to ideals of social and economic justice, the importance of human dignity, and the power of people from all walks of life to develop democratic capacities in shaping their own education, workplaces, and governance. Len's vision for educational innovation created student opportunities for self-directed learning and for community engagement, bridging the gap between theory and practice. He played a crucial role in the development of many local co-ops and alternative economic initiatives, especially in the Willimantic, Ct. area, such as the Willimantic Food Co-op and the Swift Waters Artisans Cooperative, and in the past, the International Poultry Cooperative. As a major architect of the worker cooperative movement, he founded organizations and publications to ensure its success. Throughout his endeavors, nationally and internationally, Len established long lasting friendships.

He is survived by his brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, Phillip and Valerie F. Vitali, and Paul Vitali and Paige Fordice; and many dear cousins, nieces, a nephew, and grand-nieces.

The family acknowledges the many friends, colleagues, former students, and Douglas Manor, who provided comfort during his illness and to those who gave him friendship during his lifetime. Len lived a rich and pioneering life as a community-engaged professor and a leading light of the worker democracy and grassroots economic cooperative movement. He had a big smile and a hopeful heart in our abilities to create positive social change.

To leave your memories and for information on the memorial service and for donations see, abbeycremation.com.

Leonard I. Krimerman