Victor Lesser

Victor Lesser was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 17, 1931, to Max Lesser and Carrie Lesser (Kessler). His sister, Barbara, was born in 1933 and, sadly, their mother passed away in 1934. They lived for years with Vic’s Aunt Rhea and Uncle Phil, and cousins Betty and Jeanne Mae (“Puggy”), who were like siblings to him. Vic graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, then served as a draftsman for a while (during which, he told us, he designed something amazing, but it couldn’t be made, so he decided this was not the gig for him!). He then proudly served in the Navy from 1953-1955. He often joked about his good fortune in the Navy – serving mostly in the Mediterranean Sea during the Korean War, including helping with earthquake clean up in Greece. He returned from the Navy with many photographs that became slides and were viewed often by his family.

After serving in the Navy, Victor met Judy Soloway through a mutual friend. They were married on July 15, 1957. They had two children, Cathy and Jeff. Vic started college at Kent State on the GI bill, and Cathy was born during Vic’s last semester of college. Vic used to tell stories of studying for his final set of college exams with his friend Larry Moore, taking turns walking the floor with Cathy, who was a colicky baby. Soon after graduation Vic was hired by the Internal Revenue Service, eventually working his way up to a top management position in the Cleveland office. In 1961, Vic and Judy were blessed with their son Jeff.

Together the family took memorable trips to New York and East Hampton to visit friends and family. The trips would always start in the mist of the early morning in order to get some of the driving done while the kids slept in the back seat. Then the family would stop at a roadside picnic table for homemade coffee cake baked by Judy’s mother, and reconstituted powdered milk in a yellow container with a blue top. (It was the 1960s after all!). The family often visited Vic’s father, Max, at Watkins Furniture store at Severance Center, where the beaded, two-story fountain fascinated Jeff and Cathy. Vic had a prized, small collection of 78s (that’s like a CD for you youngsters) that lived in the dining room cabinet in a record holder and included Frank Sinatra and Herb Alpert. On special days, Vic would put Herb Alpert’s “The Lonely Bull” on the record player, grab a kitchen towel, and Jeff and Cathy would take turns being the “bull.” Vic’s love of music, sadly, did not translate into the ability to carry a tune. He “sang” many songs to a non-tune made up by him, but we enjoyed them nevertheless. Vic and Judy’s combined families shared many Shabbat dinners together at Judy’s mother’s home.

Vic was active in sports. He loved riding his bike all over and he played softball every weekend at Forest Hills Park, taking Cathy and Jeff with him so Judy could get some time off. He also loved playing tennis. On Saturdays, Vic would often drive the Singing Angels carpool, drop Cathy and her fellow singers off at rehearsal, and continue on with Jeff to his office downtown. Saturday evening was McDonalds night at the Lessers.

In 1976 Vic and Judy divorced. Vic met and then married Rachel Lesser in 1979. Vic embraced and loved Rachel’s family as his own, and made himself available to help not only her extended family, but Judy and her parents whenever they needed something. He was a generous man who liked to help those around him.

Vic retired at age 56 from the I.R.S. and went to work for his best friend, Bob Saiger, at Park Opticians. He loved to show off his newly acquired skills by adjusting everyone’s glasses. He and Bob had regular lunches at Bob Evans, which he enjoyed immensely. He also stayed in touch with his group of guys from the I.R.S.

Being retired allowed Vic and Rachel to embark on ambitious travels all over the world. They took innumerable cruises, went to China and Russia, took a family history trip to Eastern Europe, cruised through the bottom of the world and the Panama Canal, went to Israel, and many other places. On each trip they would bring back a small trinket and many photos to remind them of their trip. Before each trip, Vic would provide each of the kids with a detailed spreadsheet, containing the location and contact information for each day of the trip. This was usual for him. Vic loved organization and spreadsheets. None of us have ever seen such a detailed and complex method for keeping track of finances, taxes, medicine, and travel. Vic and Rachel were avid dominoes players - a game that brought all the family together – served up always with a big bowl of peanut M&Ms and chocolate covered raisins. Vic and Rachel moved to Vitalia just over one year ago, where they joined long-time friends and made new ones.

Vic was a beloved father to Jeff (Jack) and Cathy, and a beloved stepfather to Michael (Ann), Scott (June), and Lori (Todd). But he was an even more beloved grandfather. Vic poured love and affection and humor and kindness on his 8 grandchildren, who all adored him back and called him Poppy. He will be missed by all of us.

We also want to thank the caregivers who cared for both Vic and Rachel in their last illnesses. We especially want to thank Dee and Nae, who Vic adored and who gave him care and love when we could not be with him. We also want to thank Terry and her team at Hospice of the Western Reserve, who provided outstanding care for our whole family.

Vic is survived by his children: Cathy Lesser Mansfield, and Jeff Lesser (Jack Nixon); his stepchildren: Michael Huler (Ann Rottersman), Scott Huler (June Spence), Lori Huler Glick (Todd); and his 8 adoring grandchildren: Sarah, Megan, Benjamin, Becca, Cooper, Allie, Louis, and Gus. He is also survived by his niece and nephews: Peter Klein, Bob Pomeroy, Carrie Pomeroy, Tripp Pomeroy, Jamie Millman, and Gary Millman.

The family plans to hold a celebration of life sometime this summer at a date yet to be set. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Vic’s memory to the American Civil Liberties Union, or Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.