Leonard Allen Redlich

Leonard Allen “Pudgy” Redlich passed away on August 22, 2026. Born May 18, 1936, in Jeannette, PA, to Milton “Bob” and Fannie Redlich, Leonard lost his wife and partner of 59 years, Faye, on September 10, 2025. He was preceded in death by his brother Bernard Redlich. Leonard is survived by his loving children, Stephen Redlich (Kim), Beth Redlich (Howard Widra) and David Redlich (Karen), and nine cherished grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca and Melissa Redlich; Nikki, Julie and Dani Widra; and Alexa (Dylan Castor), Ethan and Avery Redlich, all of whom admired their grandfather and brought him immense pride and joy. Leonard will be forever remembered by his nieces (Carol Redlich and Anne Redlich), nephews (Harry Redlich and Brad Blower) and extended family and dear friends. 

After graduating from Jeannette High School in 1954, Leonard earned an English degree in 1958 from the University of Pennsylvania and was a proud lifelong member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Next was the University of Pittsburgh Law School class of 1961. While Leonard was living at home and practicing law with his brother in Greensburg, PA, his Uncle Norman met Faye on a cruise and thought she would be the perfect match for his nephew. Leonard and Faye were married on December 5, 1965, moved together to Greensburg, and started a family.

Leonard had many interests, including guitar, billiards, genealogy and chocolate, but his twin passions were golfing and sailing. He began golfing at a young age and grew into a club champion. He and his first mate Faye started sailing on small lakes in Western PA and eventually graduated to Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay. Leonard and Faye spent many a night sailing every part of the Chesapeake Bay, sometimes alone and other times with family or friends. Leonard also served several years post college in the Coast Guard Reserves. Rumor has it that he always kept a “go bag” in the front closet in case a company sailing newly constructed sailboats from Europe to the United States should accept his offer to be a crew member. Unfortunately, he never got the call. Faye and Leonard also loved to cross country ski and travel throughout the United States and Europe. While traveling, he would always check the telephone books for the Redlich relative he didn’t yet know but hoped to meet.

Leonard was devoted to his children. After teaching them to play pool in their basement, he placed a ping pong table on top of the pool table, which resulted in heated sibling matches. That turned into weekly trips to downtown Pittsburgh to play in a ping pong league. He also loved his grandchildren dearly. For many years, he taught them about billiards, accompanied them musically on the spoons, took them to the driving range in his golf cart, and drove them around in his red 1965 Volkswagen Beetle convertible.

In 1986, Leonard and Faye started a new chapter in South Florida. In early 1991, a few months after celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary, Leonard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He fought this progressive neurological disorder bravely for 35 years with dignity, grace and positive thinking. When the disease prevented him from pursuing one interest, he would find a new one. Though the disease affected his movement, balance and coordination, it didn’t stop his golf game. He continued to play for many years, eventually wearing knee and elbow pads to protect him when he invariably fell, and he remained the one you wanted on the 18th tee if you needed something down the middle. With golf winding down, he moved to three-cushion billiards, which turned out to be an extension of the straight pool he had played in his teenage years. Again, Parkinson's did not impede Leonard’s passion for a pursuit he enjoyed. Despite the obstacles, he loved the geometry of three balls on a pocketless table. He also spent many days hitting the speed bags and heavy bags at the JCC’s Boxing for Parkinson’s program. 

Due to his unflagging attitude, joy for life, curiosity about the universe, and kindness toward others, Leonard was an inspiration not only to his family and friends, but also to people he met on the golf course, in the deli, and in his everyday interactions. We will miss the twinkle in his big blue eyes.

A funeral service will be held at Lakeside Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Miami, FL, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 11:00am. The family will observe shiva at the home of David and Karen Redlich from 1:00pm to 5:00pm following the service. Friends and loved ones are welcome to visit and share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leonard’s memory may be made to Rock Steady Boxing at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach, Florida

(https://marjcc.org/rock-steady-boxing).