Joseph J. “Joey” Lesando entered into rest on Monday, February 28, 2011 at home following an aggressive battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 61 years old.
The son of Nicholas and Caroline Cosco Lesando, he was born on August 29, 1949 at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. He was married to Belva Joy Hickman for thirty eight years.
Joey was employed as a Plant Supervisor for Steris Corporation of Chester, New York. He was a long term member of the Raymond Hose Fire Company and a past Captain. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge 34 of Warwick, New York.
Joey was an avid fisherman, who thoroughly enjoyed his many exciting fishing trips to Alaska and other locations taken with his father and sister. He was a sports fan of the Buffalo Bills.
A family statement reads: “Joey had a very deep love and fierce loyalty to his family and friends. He was always ready to support and help them in any way he could. One of his great joys was playing with his grandson, Noah. Joey was a kind, caring, hard working and unselfish man who believed in doing the right thing. His departure came way too soon. We already miss his sense of humor and that unmistakable twinkle in his eye which appeared when he was up to some mischief. He was a good man who was well respected and loved by those whose lives he touched.”
Joey is survived by his wife, Belva Joy, at home; his mother, Caroline Lesando of Warwick, NY; his daughter, Rachel Grenald and her husband Esteban (Lino) of Florida, NY; his sister, Carol Schmick and her husband William of Glenville, New York; his grandson, Noah Morgan M. Grenald; his treasured family dog, Winnie; his three nieces, Nicolette Daniels and husband John; Joann Feeley and husband TJ; Paula Roney and husband Jeff; and his two grand nephews, Korey and Ajay Feeley.
He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Joyce Stoeberl and her husband Leo of Greenwood Lake and his very close friends, Billy & Donna Roe, Stan & Jinny Hammerman, and John & Agnes Woloszczak.
He was predeceased by both his brother, Nicholas P. Lesando, Jr., and his father, Nicholas P. Lesando, Sr.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties who took special care of Joey in his final days.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 & 7-9 pm On Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, March 4, 2011, at St. Stephens RC Church,
In lieu of flowers contributions in Joey’s memory may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh NY 12550 or Disabled Veterans of America, 30 Lawrence Ave., New Windsor, NY 12553.