James Louis Lesniak

With heavy hearts we announce the death of our husband, father, and grandfather. Dr. James Lesniak was born October 4, 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Ignatious and Stella Lesniak. Growing up in Pittsburgh, James graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1961, and then graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He had dreamed of becoming a doctor since his youth and realized this dream when he graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1969 with his medical degree. He then interned at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Lesniak served two years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged at the rank of Lt. Commander. While in the Navy, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He then completed his residency in anesthesia at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1976. He passed his exams and became a board-certified anesthesiologist. On March 27, 1976, he married Dr. Rhonda Goodman at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Pasadena, Texas. They moved to South Florida in 1976.

Jim’s life in Florida was defined by his career, his Catholic faith, and his family. He brought care and kindness towards others in each part of his life. In addition to over 40 years of caring for his patients, he made many medical volunteer trips to Haiti and Honduras, administering anesthesia and enabling thousands of people access to health care they would not ordinarily have had. He was a regular attendee at multiple churches, known to priests and parishioners, and a long term member of a meditative prayer group. And in his own words, his proudest accomplishments were his four children. He could be seen attending constant sports games and recitals, and making Blockbuster and Jamba Juice runs for his children and their friends. His agape love grew exponentially later in life with the addition of his beloved eleven grandchildren.

Neighbors and friends will remember Jim’s kind heart, his sense of humor, his curiosity, and his love for dogs. He gave treats to every dog that stopped at our house and loved his poodle Marcus immensely. Everybody recognized Jim and Marcus, no matter where they were. His wry smile when making a joke created a deep sense of warmth and togetherness. To know Jim was to receive gratitude, love, deep thoughtfulness & appreciation. He was a man of endless reflection and meditation, a man of curiosity and philosophic musings who consistently practiced meaningful random acts of kindness. He sought happiness and brought happiness to others, but believed perfect happiness was only achievable in the next life.

Dr. Lesniak is survived by his beloved and beautiful family: his wife Rhonda, their four children, daughter Dr. Melissa Lesniak (Jon Dadurka), son Daniel Lesniak (Keri Shull), son Matthew Lesniak (Dr. Alice Lorch), daughter Dr. Theresa Lesniak (Alex Guriev), their eleven grandchildren Simon Lesniak, Braden Lesniak, Cole Lesniak, Ruth Dadurka, Kierra Lesniak, Faye Lesniak, Grayson Lesniak, Thaddeus James Guriev, Owen Dadurka, Tristan Rex Lesniak, and Leo Guriev, his sister Maryann Miller (Dick Miller), and nephews Dr. Doug Miller and Gregg Miller.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Jim’s memory to Project Medishare with whom he traveled with many times to provide healthcare in Haiti’s most rural areas: https://donate.projectmedishare.org/give/179628/#!/donation/checkout

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