Leonard Stanley Reich

We had the honor and pleasure of knowing Lenny for over 40 years. His friendship was a gift to us. Lenny was a talented craftsman and took great pride in his work. Whenever a job, large or small, needed to be done in our home, Lenny was consulted. He was frank, he was honest, and he was always right.

We were blessed to enjoy many break- fasts with Lenny and Fay in Donna and John’s welcoming home in Hewlett. The Shure’s prepared veritable feasts every year, and we always hoped that Fay’s legendary egg salad would be on the menu. Meta made sure to always bring brownies for Lenny- but the brownies were no substitute for his cherished Yankee Doodles.

Jay looked forward to bantering with Lenny and John about politics and history. Lenny was quick-witted, funny and so very clever. They did not always agree, but Lenny was a gentleman in debate, and his opponents would walk away smarter.

Lenny’s greatest source of pride, by far, was his family. Together with his beloved Fay, they lived a life of devotion and commitment to each other and their loved ones. He showed us, by example, what strength of character really means, and what is truly important in life. Lenny’s face beamed with happiness when sharing stories of Michael, Donna John, Jackie and Dani.

We were so fortunate to attend the beautiful wedding of Dani and Tyler last April. Among our lasting memories, will be of Lenny and Fay joyously “cutting the carpet”, and Jay exclaiming with excitement “Lenny, you’ve still got it!” He most certainly did, in more ways than one.

We were blessed to know him and consider him our friend.

Lenny greatly enjoyed life. At a moment’s notice, if a family member called, he was ready and happy to join them. Whether it was for a local car ride, or help with an immediate problem, Lenny made himself available. Lenny was a man of great principle. He believed that family was the most important thing in life. He also believed that complaining about anything accomplished very little. Whether he experienced distress from an illness or one of life’s inconveniences, Lenny only looked for solutions. He was a pillar of strength and our family cheerleader.

It has sometimes been said: “A rich man is not someone who has the most, but who needs the least.” By that definition, Lenny was exceedingly wealthy. Simple pleasures were his way of life. His favorite event was a family dinner. It did not matter what he was eating or where he was eating it, as long as he was with his family. Lenny would invariably sit back, look around the table, and eventually tell me, with a broad smile: “John, this is what life is all about.”

Lenny glowed at milestone family events, especially when it involved his grandchildren, Jackie and Danielle. From their Birth to Danielle’s recent Wedding, Lenny was energized and elated to be present.

His granddaughter Jackie, could talk to Lenny for hours. They laughed and shared stories. They had so many memorable times together. Jackie frequently had dinners and lunches with Lenny and Fay. It was something they all looked forward to and provided great joy and fulfillment. Once Covid came, Jackie became Lenny’s personal barber and Fays hair cutter. Lenny gave Jackie his highest compliment. He said: “Jackie has now out “Donna-ed” Donna.” Jackie would always put a smile on Lenny’s face. When Jackie was recently looking for Lenny in the ICU, she asked, “Where is the most handsome man in the hospital?” Lenny was all smiles and loved Jackie’s entrance. Making Lenny smile in that environment was a huge achievement. Jackie and Lenny had an incredible relationship. Both had special places in their heart for each other.

His granddaughter Danielle provided Lenny with great pride and joy from her academic accomplishments. He often described Danielle as a beautiful petite girl with a humongous brain. He was overjoyed when she married Tyler. His enthusiasm and excitement to attend Danielle’s wedding energized his recovery from a life- threatening Sepsis. Only four weeks after this hospitalization, he remarkably accompanied Fay in the wedding procession and danced with Fay at Danielle’s wedding. During his recent hospitalization, the nurses informed us of how often and how excitedly Lenny spoke about becoming a great grandpa. He proudly spoke of Danielle’s growing Baby Bump. When he described what he envisioned it produced momentary happiness. He loved his grandchildren and hoped to meet his future great grandchildren.

I and Michael’s wife Rona were always grateful to Lenny for instilling his family values in our respective families. We cared so much for Lenny, and our loving, caring relationship with Lenny was mutual. When Rona visited Florida, it was never a vacation for Rona. Rona would spend every day cooking, cleaning, and organizing Lenny’s home. She was a very devoted daughter in law.

I am glad I had the opportunity to become a cheer leader for Lenny, just as he had been for all of us. Sadly, it was because I was always the first one in the Emergency Room making sure Lenny was not alone during a medical crisis.

From the first day I met Lenny, I knew I had a dependable loyal friend and ultimately an exceptional father-in- law. If Lenny could possibly do something for me, it was as good as done.

Lenny’s love and devotion to Fay, Donna and Michael was truly profound. His special relationship with Fay was just beautiful. They loved each other deeply. They compassionately tended to the other’s needs and provided meaning, balance and stability to their individual lives and relationship. Fay would often say: “I love you Lenny,” and Lenny would respond: “I love you Babe, always and forever.” It was a storybook relationship. In 2001, Lenny survived a life- threatening cancer. He had a melanoma in his nasal cavity that required extensive surgery through the cranium. This occurred at the same time the world trade center was being attacked. During this hyper stressful period, Fay went to the hospital every day and faithfully sat right beside him. When Donna and I would visit Lenny during his recent illness, Lenny would ask one question over and over, “Donna, how is your mother?”

Fay’s commitment and dedication to Lenny’s well-being and happiness was boundless and beyond description. Remarkably, so was Lenny’s to Fay.

Fay meticulously cared for Lenny. She cooked his favorite dishes and served them just the way it uniquely pleased Lenny. She was the loyal guardian of his health, safety and welfare. Fay had to know where Lenny was located, every second of the day. Hence, the famous question uttered by Fay ever so frequently, “Where’s Lenny?” has become legendary. Conversely, Lenny’s steadfastness provided a rock like foundation of strength, stability and direction. It was a marriage that flourished for 71 years.

Lenny was so proud of Donna and Michael. Through Lenny’s eyes, there was absolutely nothing either one could ever do wrong. He loved them intensely and unconditionally. He was so happy when he was with them.

Lenny often greeted Donna by pinching her cheeks and saying: “You will always be my little girl.” His broad smile and wide- open eyes showed how much he really meant what he said. Donna was perfection personified. Even if Donna accidently served him an overcooked dinner, his response with a smile was always “perfect.” And Lenny did not just say it, he swallowed it to prove it. Three Hundred SixtyFive days a year, Donna devoted a portion of her day to making the life of Lenny and Fay a happier and better day. Her love and dedication was mutual and the product of her loving upbringing.

Michael had a special relationship with his father. Geographical distance never interrupted their relationship. They spoke every night on the phone. They related not only as a father and son, but as best friends. Lenny took great pride in Michael starting his own business and being able to have a life in New York City as well as in the Philippines. When Lenny needed his nasal melanoma removed, Michael assured Lenny that if his Medical Insurance would not pay for a specific Sloan Kettering surgeon, he would use his life savings to pay for it. Their love and loyalty toward each other was unwavering.

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In Lenny’s earlier years, he worked hard to support his family. He often worked at three different jobs. He shunned material pleasures and took great pride in being resourceful.

Lenny learned to build and repair whatever he could. Upon retirement, Donna encouraged him to turn his hobby into his own business. Donna named it: “My Daddy Can Fix Anything” and had business cards printed. It was a wonderful success because in fact, he could fix anything, He loved his new business.

Lenny would sacrifice anything for his family. He struggled to live on these past few weeks only because he knew how much he meant to all of us. Lenny fearlessly fought like no one else ever could. He endured things most could not. He fought until he literally gave us his last breath.

In early Sept. while contemplating the gravity of his illness Lenny told Donna: “I am now ready to see my mother, dad, loving sisters and my cousins.” He loved his cousins.

And he asked Donna not to forget him.

Donna never will never forget him, nor will any of us.

As Donna told me, “It is not goodbye Lenny, it is until we meet again.”

Claudia Mussella Siegel

Friend and their Podiatrist:

I’ll always remember Lenny walking in with his beloved Celia. The love they shared was obvious to anyone who met them! I remember Lenny playfully teasing Celia until they both laughed. He was definitely a family man who valued his family and friends and he will be sorely missed.

I really adored your parents. I knew it would be a fun day when I saw they had an appointment.

A funeral service for Leonard will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Bailey Memorial, 6701 West Commercial Blvd, Tamarac, FL 33319. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 2:15 PM at Garden of Judah at Bailey Memorial, 7801 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, FL 33068.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.starofdavidfuneralchapel.com for the Reich family.