William M. Lese (August 19, 2009)

LESE–William Morris, devoted husband, father and grandfather died peacefully on August 19 at the age of 84. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945 as a reconnaissance scout and received a Purple Heart after being wounded in action in Germany on his 20th birthday. After the War, he went on to become an accomplished real estate investor and commercial broker, twice winning The Real Estate Board of New York’s Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Award. He was a philanthropist, avid outdoorsman, fisherman, antiquarian book collector, gourmet chef and worldwide adventurer. He was a true renaissance man who delighted in planning and sharing his adventures with family and close friends. He had a love affair with life and a youthful charm that touched people all over the globe as well as at home. He is survived by his wife, Sahra; brother, John; sons, Bill and Peter; daughters, Danielle and Claudia and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 23 at 10:00am at Central Synagogue, Lexington Avenue and 55th Street. Donations in his memory can be made to Central Synagogue, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the Loomis-Chaffee School.

Published in The New York Times on Aug. 21, 2009