Leslie L. Knowlton, age 84, born on June 7, 1934. Passed away August 6, 2018, on the eve of his 58th anniversary with wife Karen Knowlton (nee Hunsley). Son of the late Leslie V. and Lillian B. Knowlton, and brother of the late James Knowlton. Survived by his wife Karen; daughters Laura (Kurt Nisi), Julia, and Sarah; and grandchildren Anna, Matthew and William Nisi, and Claire and Madeleine De Pree. Also survived by his sister, Jeanne Anne Knowlton, five nieces and nephews and their children, and many cousins and friends.
He earned both his Bachelor’s and Law (JD) degrees from the University of Michigan, and moved to Cleveland in 1964 to join the law firm of Schlesinger, Galvin, Kohn, & Landefeld which later merged with Arter & Hadden. Specializing in estate planning and tax law, he also taught evening classes at the CWRU School of Law and served a term as president of the Ohio Chapter of American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Les found joy in music throughout his life; learning piano at a young age, playing trombone in his college marching band and occasionally amusing his family with the accordion. He enjoyed playing, arranging, studying, and listening to jazz. He loved to sing, for many years at Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights and later at the Church of the Covenant. In 2002, he joined the The Singers’ Club of Cleveland which gave him both an outlet for his music and a brotherhood of fellow singers, whom he served as president from 2007 through 2010.
Les and Karen raised their family in Shaker Heights and retired in Bratenahl to enjoy the beauty of Lake Erie. Though he and Karen traveled the world, Les loved best the woods and lakes of his native Michigan, and the family spent 45 summers at their cottage at Big Bear Lake in Otsego County enjoying the quiet and serenity of the clear water, whispering forests, and beautiful sky.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Singers’ Club of Cleveland 125th Fund, P.O. Box 16611, Cleveland, OH 44116, or Church of the Covenant (address below).
A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 25th at 11:00 am at The Church of the Covenant 11205 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.
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