Harry W. Leszchyn

Harry W. Leszchyn

Harry W. Leszchyn of Upper Deerfield Township passed away on June 25, 2016 at home peacefully after a long battle with mesothelioma. Harry had a long and eventful life, however, not long enough. Born and raised in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Harry attended North Plainfield schools where he excelled academically and athletically, especially in football. After graduation he attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where he started on the football team and played both offense and defense. He also played on the Rugby squad.

After graduation from Brown, he entered and graduated from Seton Hall University Law School and subsequently served a judicial clerkship with the Superior Court of New Jersey. He then worked as an assistant prosecutor with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and transferred to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Harry also worked for the Atlantic County Office of the Public Defender and subsequently became the Deputy Public Defender in charge of the Cape May County Public Defender's Office and later the Deputy Public Defender for the Cumberland County Public Defender's Office. Harry was an extremely skilled trial attorney and many of his adversaries who did not know of his abilities underestimated him as he looked like a football player instead of an attorney. That impression changed upon his appearances in court and those adversaries never made the mistake of underestimating him again. Harry was a skilled marksman and won many sporting clay awards over the years. Harry was well read and very knowledgeable in a number of areas and never afraid to voice his opinion. Sometimes people agreed with his opinion and often no one agreed but that had no effect on his opinion. There is a quote that sums up his life "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man." Another measure of a person is not only how they live but how they died. Harry had a long battle with mesothelioma, yet never lamented about his fate. He will be greatly missed by his sister, Barbara Mansolino and his many friends.

Funeral services are private at the request of the family. Donations may be made in his honor to the ASPCA.