Leonard G Zilles

Please join us in celebrating Len Zilles' life and legacy. Let us honor our beloved stepfather, friend, and dedicated husband, Lenny, a man full of passion, love, and devotion to our mom, Mickey. They say opposites attract; as such, these two were a magnetic and dynamite duo. Len and Mickey were each other's ideal complement, so it's not surprising their separation was short-lived, and now their reunification is eternal.

Len was an incredible husband, stepparent, and student advocate. Len placed a high value on education and was a well-respected history professor. In the classroom, the quintessential bowtie and tweed-wearing instructor brought a whole new level of professionalism to his casual southern college. Here, Len touched many students' lives, helped shape their political views, created strong work ethics, and developed an appreciation for the learning process. Len was equally zealous about sports and a loyal Seminole and Braves fan. If Len wasn't watching the news, he would be watching a game on TV. The only thing better was watching live games and seeing his eleven grandchildren play ball, graduate, and become successful students and professionals. As a younger man, Len was a remarkable athlete, enjoyed tennis, and was an avid runner, completing multiple marathons.

Jet-setting across the globe, Len and Mickey quenched their wanderlust desire to discover historical and cultural European destinations as often as possible. Their favorite city was Paris, where they were the epitome of class and grace, often mistaken as celebrities or royalty. Back in Longwood, they were "Mom and Len," a home with a great Cabernet and Expresso just waiting for one of us kids to drop in.

There was a healthy competition between Len and Mickey in the kitchen and backyard since they were both green-thumb, master gardeners and accomplished chefs. However, no one can match Lenny's famous bread and homemade butter. Both Len and Mickey loved to cook for and feed our family. Not only will the delicious meals be missed, but the way they fed our souls full of life, love, and laughter.

We are so grateful our mom had such a wonderful man like Len, who showed unconditional love and treated her like a Queen.

God bless you both, and may you live together forever, surrounded by the love of God.