Honeoye Lake: At age 89, Len passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022 at FF Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, NY. He was born in Rochester, NY to the late Robert and Pearl (Rosenberg) Gessin. Len is predeceased by his first wife, Onnalee Gessin; his second wife, Marian Mortenson-Gessin; and his companion; Barbara Bott. Survived by his children, Leonard Gessin Jr. (Lisa Beadle), Scott (Karen) Gessin, Terry Green (Dick Milton) and Jeffrey (Dorene) Green; his brother; Bernard Gessin; and his grandchildren, Jennifer (Tom) Frechette, Jeffrey Green (Janessa Davis), Nicole Mason (Chris Mack), Michael Green (Natalie Pope), Michael Gessin (MarKayla Nash) and Megan Gessin, along with a very large beloved extended family.
After graduating from High School, Len decided that he would like to serve his country in the Unites States Army during the Korean War. After Len’s discharge from the military, he began his career with the Monroe County Department of Public Safety, where he became an Assistant Superintendent. Len had a passion in wireless communications. He was a lifelong amateur radio operator (WA2ZNC). He worked for the Antique Wireless Museum in Bloomfield NY, where he continued to work up until he passed.
Len was a member of multiple organizations, including: Antique Wireless Association, Rochester Amateur Radio Association, Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion, Eagle Lodge 619 and the Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance.
Friends and Family are invited to call from 4-7pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 8624 Main Street in Honeoye. A Funeral Service will take place at 10am on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the Honeoye United Church of Christ, 8758 main Street in Honeoye. Interment will immediately follow Len’s funeral service and will be held at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Home of Rochester 2021 S. Winton Rd, Rochester NY 14618 or The Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion, PO Box 478, Honeoye NY 14471. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Thanks to our spouses – Marian and Miriam – who were close friends at Pittsford Ambulance, Len and I met. His gentle smile brought positive feelings to everyone who met him. Those who admired him, like me, learned more about being a generous, cheerful, and joyful person.
a donation was made to the Honeoye Hemlock American Legion by James Martin in memory of Len Gessin.
I was shocked to see Let’s obituary in the Penny Saver today. I have known him for 50 years through our shared hobby of amateur radio. We had just gone fishing not too long ago, and were hoping to go out again before I pull the boat. He was a great friend and will be sorely missed.
Leonard will be missed by many. We were blessed to be with him. Yes, he liked food, but loved sharing it with somebody, i.e. Sunday lunches with Nancy and Clyde, spaghetti at UCC or the Masons, dinners or breakfasts at the Legion, breakfasts or lunches at the Grill, Sr lunches at UCC, etc. etc. We enjoyed Honeoye Sr Citizen trips, concerts at the Gazebo, RARA picnics, and Legion parties. As you can see, Len really enjoyed being near people he cared about.
We all wish you well after your Graduation to Heaven!
Love and hugs, Char
Len
Plaid/Camo ,cheerful, giggle, talker/storyteller, lame jokes, “ Oil well,” collector of stuff, giver, generous, caregiver, traveler, Wa2znc (ham), dancer, boater, fisherman, dog lover, eating/photos, eating/ photos, eating/photos, eat anything, friend, overcomer, soldier, volunteer, son, brother, husband, Pop, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Stepdad Jew/Christian
Beloved
I first met Lenny, WA2 Zinc Nickle and Copper, on the top floor of the Downtown Parking Garage behind Sibley’s. He was sitting at a card table in the middle of an empty parking lot when I walked up to him and said “Hi, my name is Ed, Hi I’m Len” he replied, and that started a 60-year friendship. Why the Sibley parking garage, you ask. Lenny was hiding for one of Rochester’s then famous six-meter AM bunny hunts and I was the first one to find him. What I admire and remember Len for was his great wit and when talking with him, his unique ability to make you feel as if you were his best friend. He and I were RaRa President and Vice-President together and he contributed to RaRa so much, and later the AWA, in ways that benefitted all that came later. His loss will be felt in ways we can’t even imagine yet. RIP my friend.
I am so happy to have known Len. He was to me a beacon of a life well lived. My condolences to his family.
I first met Len in late September,1974 at the Cobbs Hill radio shop. I was 27, acting as a vendor site manager, following the new county wide police radio system installation for the next 18 months. It was always a pleasure to work with Len and the technical staff at Cobbs Hill. Fast forward, 10 years later I was back again as we updated all the radio systems with new equipment. Another great experience.
I’ve been a radio amateur for 60 years this October. Back then we’d talk on the Rochester 2 meter repeaters as I would be traveling to or past Rochester, or back home to Oneida, NY where I live. After attending Len’s party on retirement from Monroe County, we stay in contact as the years past by. But in mid-summer 2016 I made a visit to the AWA Museum with my life long friend Paul WB2CYJ and enjoyed a great tour, lunch and in-person visit with Len. A great memory to hold onto for sure! After that for about 5 years we kept a fairly regular schedule on 80 meter AM or SSB on Saturday morning at 7:15AM, sadly the last contact was on Sep 3, 2022. I will certainly miss our weekly chats a lot.
I would like to extend my condolences to all of the families that Len was a part of, and to all the great friends he made over his lifetime. I’m glad I was one of them.
RIP Len & 73,
Jim WB2EJG
I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words. He took my brother Jeff and I in when I was 10years old. He never raised his voice I truly never saw him get mad. My Dad was amazing he was always there for you to talk to unless he was on his. radio lol, which we all know was his passion… He was kind to all he met, and he was generous to a fault. The man always had a story to tell. and if you were lucky a silly joke or perhaps a kiss on the hand. I will miss him with all my heart. Before he went to bed when I talked to him he would always say nite nite Buddy… 10,4 to you Dad .. love you so very much, I miss you more than you can imagine nite nite
Love Terry
I first met Len through Barb Bott and thoroughly enjoyed every interaction I had with him. We would run into each other at various places in Honeoye and he always had a kind smile and a twinkle in his eye. I’m so very glad to have known him. He will be missed. RIP Len.
My heart goes out to Terry and her family for the loss of her Dad. My prayers and thoughts go out to you all. My you Rest In Peace Len.
I met Len through our love of Ham Radio. First at RARA meetings and various Hamfests which he always attended. In fact I last talked with him a few weeks before his passing at a hamlets in Macedon. He was the same as always and enjoyed meeting everyone! I guess I will be the only Len now. I will try to make you proud my friend.73.
Lenny was a kind and gentle soul. It’s hard to see another “ radio great” leave this world. Lenny would stop by Licciardi Radio from time to time to chat with Charlie his friend for any years. He just had a way about him that was easy with a contagious smile. My sincere condolences to Len and family, I’m so sorry.
I met Lenny at a state sponsored electronics course held in the basement of Jefferson High School in 1960.
I ” clicked” with him right away.. He was an easy going guy with a good temperament. I don’t ever remember him losing his temper. We became very close during that one year course. We got our 1st class Radiotelephone licenses, and Amateur Radio licenses when the course concluded.
. Years later we went to many, many Hamfest conventions in Dayton, Ohio. He loved those trips. I could go with stories..Len was a good friend, so sad to say goodbye. Our sympathies to Len Jr., and the family. Cherish your memories.
RIP
Lenny was a great friend for some 50 yrs. I remember he was one of the first HAMS to reach out and help me when I first got my radio license. We’ve kept in touch ever since, in person and on the radio. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Gessin family.
My Dad and I first met Lenny on the radio in the early 1960’s. We had stayed in touch throughout those many years and have met him in person several times. A great AWA tour guide. He was always very positive, of quick wit and humor and a family man. He would often provide family updates when we talked. I will miss his voice on the radio.
My heartfelt condolences to his very large family.
R.I.P. Lenny and ’73 one last time.
Paul WB2CYJ
Len will be deeply missed by his friends past and present at the Monroe County Radio Center at Cobbs Hill. He stopped in and visited regularly and, as he put it, attended 50 Christmas parties with us at the Hill.
Our condolences to the family.
I have known Len via amateur radio and in person for over 40 years. He was one of the most kind, warm-hearted and humorous men I have ever known. He was instrumental in helping me get my first real job in Rochester when I was a teenager. He was a great friend and his presence in my life was truly a blessing. I will miss him deary! My prayers and condolences go out to Len’s family and friends.
My good friend I’m sorry for your loose it sucks to be in our shoes right now,hug the kids for me, Will see you soon
My sincere condolences to the family of Len. He was a frequent contributor to the morning roundtable on the local 88 repeater years ago in Rochester. His friendship to all will be sorely missed.
Remember Lenny, Remember WA2ZNC
when I was first interested in Ham Radio in the late 1970’s.
Joined M.A.R.S. I’m sorry I didn’t get to visit with him at the
Antique Wireless Museum in Bloomfield NY.
Condolences to family and friends.
Len was a man of accomplishments and a great capacity to love! His cousins all appreciated him as a shinning example and a great family man who persevered tragedy after tragedy. Len will be missed.
I am very sorry for the loss of Len. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I worked with Len at the Antique Wireless Museum. He was one of the sharpest people I have known. He always had something to say or teach to me. I will miss him.
Lenny, so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and family. Love, Connie
Lenny, I am so sorry for your loss. If I can help with anything please let me know. Love, Connie
I got to know Len through his love of wireless radio and his amateur radio hobby and enjoyed speaking with him both on-the-air during operating events as well as in-person as his outlook was positive and warm. Len was one of the truly nice and good people in this world.
Leonard was such a caring man and friend to those of us living in the park. Leonard loved to talk about his family, and showed me pictures every time we met. I will forever be greatful to him for being such a good friend to my mom.
It was a pleasure and honor to get to know Len these past few years through Seniors club. He had a quick wit and always had something funny to say. He will be greatly missed and always fondly remembered in our hearts.