My Hero: Paul Lenny
Published by Al Adomite on May 20th, 2008
By Al
Blogging will be light this week from me, as I have family coming into town for the funeral of my grandfather.
My grandpa was my hero. It’s just as simple as that. I can’t think of anyone who has more influenced much of what I have become today (both environmentally and genetically) than my Grandpa.
He tried to teach me a patient style of serving others. He’s the source of why I snore and why I have more than one chin. He gave me a love of classical music. I think of him every time I whistle.
He had two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, but more of my friends called him “grandpa” than any other person I know. He was blessed, but not as much as we were blessed. He taught me you can do anything if you just put your mind to it.
The obit is in today’s Belleville News-Democrat:
Paul Lenny, 81, of Troy, Ill., died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Maryville Manor in Maryville, Ill. Mr. Lenny was born the son of George Wallace, Sr., and Florence, nee Schuchman, Lenny on Mar. 7, 1927, in French Village, Ill., and was married to Norma Jean Doussard in Collinsville on Jan. 16, 1949.
Mr. Lenny was active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was initiated into the Order of the Arrow. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in World War II on the USS LST 341.
He served ten years as a volunteer fireman in Fairview Heights, was active in the American Legion Post 708, and was a past member of the Troy Lions Club and the Edwardsville Chapter of the Illinois Wildlife Federation. He was retired from 43 years of employment with Bell Telephone. He flew radio-controlled airplanes with the Sports Flyers RC Club of St. Rose. He was an avid gardener, community repairman, and “grandpa” to many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, George Wallace Lenny, Jr.; and two sister-in-laws, Florence, nee Tucker, Lenny and Bertie, nee Coggan, Lenny. He is survived by his wife, Norma Jean; one daughter, Lois (Bill) Adomite of Troy, Ill.; and a brother, James Lenny of Redington Shores, Fla. He is blessed with two grandchildren, Allen (Susan) Adomite of Troy, Ill., and Pamela (Gordon) Hulten of Urbana, Ill.; one great-grandchild, William Hulten, and other cherished nieces and nephews, family members and friends.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Troy United Methodist Church Journey of Faith Campaign.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2008, at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, Ill. Funeral: A graveside funeral and burial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008, at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Ill.
Here’s two photos, circa June 2007 and circa 1982. The first is Grandpa and I at Troy’s Sesquicentennial. He always kept a smile, even after the stroke. The other is he and I decorating a cake for Cub Scout contest. He was an Eagle Scout and a great cake and pie baker.
We get so much time - yet so little time - to share with others to help make them better people. To teach, to listen, to help, and to hold. He gave more of that kind of time to me than anyone else I know.
Filed under Housekeeping
Leave a Comment (Your very first comment will be held for moderation.)