After serving a tour in Viet Nam as a Marine, Leny worked for New York Telephone as a lineman. In 1978 an opportunity to transfer to Pacific Telephone (Pac Bell) arose. Leny made the transfer to California a month-long journey across the Northern U.S. He and his wife packed a cargo van with a mattress on top of their belongings, a chair for their dog, and a tent for longer stays.
Soon after arriving in Fresno, friendships with fellow linemen and their families formed, lasting to this day. The same friends helped Leny and his wife build their house in Yokuts Valley, a barn raising of sorts. Leny held a variety of positions throughout his career with SBC (Pac Bell), forming more lasting friendships, and retired as a Design Engineer.
He loved the outdoors. Family vacations were camping trips and you could find Leny fishing in local mountain lakes.
After retirement, he had more time for woodworking and other projects. Leny was a kind, generous person who formed life-long friendships from high school and beyond. He loved his family. Family and friends were everything. He will be greatly missed by all.
Leny is survived by his wife Susan, sons Jon and Nicholas, daughters-in-law Pat and Anita, grandchildren Elyza and Nico, sister and brother-in-law Marianne and Mark Schrader and niece, Dawn.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns, and Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave, Fresno, Ca.
