Lester Rossin

In loving memory of Lester Rossin, who passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on July 5, 2013, surrounded by his family. Born in the Bronx, NY on May 30, 1914, he was the 7th of 8 children born to the late Louis Rosen and Gussie Schwerinski. A talented artist, he received his B.F.A. from Cooper Union in New York City and his M.F.A. from Pratt Institute. While at Cooper Union, he met his loving wife, Lee Fram, to whom he was married for 67 years before she passed away in 2006. They started their married life in Jackson Heights, Queens, then built their dream home in North Stamford in 1953. It was here that they raised their two daughters, Roberta Richards, who predeceased them in 1990, and Janice Burigo. Lester continued living in this home until his death. Lester was fortunate to forge a successful career in the industry he was passionate about. In the 1950’s he was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of three separate organizations: Lester Rossin Associates, a marketing and advertising agency; Lester Rossin Graphic Communications, a corporate design firm; and The Rossin Creative Group, a professional art organization with internationally recognized artists and illustrators. He received 92 achievement awards for professional illustration and design during his career and is the recipient of the Augustus St. Gaudens award for achievement in art.In his spare time, he enjoyed teaching design and marketing at F.I.T., The School of Visual Arts and Cooper Union, all in New York and at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. In addition, he was the co-author of 34 how-to-paint books titled “The Art of Painting and Drawing”. He also enjoyed serving on the boards of many museums and art institutions. He was instrumental in the opening of a branch of the Whitney Museum of American Art in Stamford, CT. Lester proudly stayed active in his retirement up until the last years of his life. He loved golfing, exercising and landscaping the beautiful gardens in his yard. He was especially proud to have made the first “hole-in-one” at Gainey Ranch Golf Resort in Scottsdale, AZ where he and his wife enjoyed a retirement home for 20 years. He is survived by his daughter Janice Burigo (Tom); six grandchildren: Chris Richards (Serena), Alyson Walsh (Tim), Lauren Kindall (Paul), Julie Burigo, Katie Burigo, and Robert Burigo; and 13 great-grandchildren: Tommy, Zack, Taylor, Caitlyn, Kelsey, Brett, Jacob, Madelyn, Luke, Ashlyn, Emily, Tyler and Bradyn. We will all miss our Dad/Poppy. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to The Cooper Union at 30 Cooper Square, 8th floor, New York, NY 10003