Lee cutting a rug at Aaron Peskin's wedding, 2007

Lee's wedding, Richmond, VA, featuring a jazz quintet.

Camp Burgess - 1962. Lee with Judd and Candace Peskin

Lee was among my best friends of all time.  I'm remembering his great smile and sense of humor.  Luckily, I have so many great memories.  Chana, Etan and Adam, I hope you are doing as well as possible during this difficult time.    Jeff Mossbarger

I was Lee's friend of longest standing.  We met when we were 9 years old in elementary school in Marblehead, MA. We quickly became best friends. A skinny little fellow, Lee's mother called him "Lee Bones," and he was "Bones" to me for the rest of our lives. We spent massive amounts of time at each other's houses and became parts of each other's family. We went to Camp Burgess on Cape Cod for two summers together (Cabin 11). He moved to Rhode Island and I moved to Los Angeles while we were still in grammer school. Then our parents each found themselves in Springfield, MA and we picked up our friendship right were we left off when we were 21 and seniors in college. A few years later, he met Rhoda, who became my wife, who loved him immediately. We were at each other's weddings, our childrens' weddings and B'nai Mitzvah. 

Lee was a free spirit. He dressed in farmer overalls, and literally kept all of his clothing in the trunk of the "Boogie Buggy" otherwise known as his car. He would proudly announce to anyone within hearing that all he needed in life was running water and a plug for his stereo. When asked by his somewhat straight-laced father when he might choose as major subject to study in school he replied, "All I really want to do is get high and listen to music."  Yet he grew into the serious, smart, competent, talented, loving, funny, friendly, caring  capable and successful person we knew so well. 

I was not told of Lee's death or his funeral. As I write this, I have still not been contacted by the family.  I learned of his passing from my daughter who saw a notice on social media. Had we known, Rhoda and I would have dropped everything to attend. Lee was my dear friend for 65 years. I mourn his death and celebrate his life. He enriched mine incomparably and he will be missed until the end of my days. RIP Bones. 

Judd Peskin
Philadelphia, PA

Athens Ohio around 1973. Life was good and knowing Lee made it even better,

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Lee Elliot Schwartz

27 September, 1951 – 12 June, 2025

Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors

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