Nicholas A. Lenge

Nicholas A. Lenge died peacefully at his home on June 10, 2013. The eldest child of Frank and Concetta Lenge, who emigrated from Italy and Sicily, respectively, to the U.S., he was born in Hartford in 1919. After graduating from Bulkeley High School in 1935, he attended Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was managing editor of the newspaper, a member of the forensic team, and President of his class. From 1941-45, he served in the European Theater in World War II with the Marines as a 2nd Lt. and then with the Army as a Master Sgt. He graduated first in his class from the Georgetown University Law School in 1947. In 1949, he married Constance DiPietro, daughter of Joseph C. and Madeline DiPietro. Nick was active in the Republican Party and had a distinguished political career. He was appointed Corporation Counsel for the Town of West Hartford from 1959-62. He served in the House of Representatives from 1963-1971 and was most proud of the opportunity to serve as House Minority Leader in the 1967 Legislative Session. In 1973, he served as State Senator for the 5th district. He co-chaired the Appropriations Committee and served on the Judiciary Committee. Atty. Lenge was a partner in the Apter, Nahum, Lenge law firm. He was President of Unico National of Hartford and served on the Board of Directors of the American Automobile Association for many years. Nick was known for his keen mind and questing intelligence. He was an avid reader. As well, his interests were wide-ranging and included photography, tai chi, cooking, gardening, bridge, baseball (go Red Sox), collecting18th- and 19th-century American paintings, furniture and silver, and art pottery. He was predeceased by his sister, Lucy Lenge Dinucci and brother, Albert A. Lenge. In addition to his wife, Constance, he is survived by his children and their spouses: Lynn and Allen Hoffman, Carol and Tom Anderson, Frank and Paula Lenge, Nick Lenge, Joe Lenge and Jodi Reese, Chris and Jacquelyn Lenge, six grandchildren and their spouses, and one great-grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 12 noon at the Church of St. Helena, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday, prior to the Mass, from 10-11:30 a.m. The D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield is in charge of arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.