Ronald Lessnick

Ron Lessnick passed away peacefully on his 81st birthday, October 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and family. A new friend recently shared that her grandmother believed those who die on their birthday skip the line and get straight into heaven. Knowing Ron’s love for skipping lines, we find comfort in that thought.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Irving and Pauline Lessnick (née Deiner), Ron (Hebrew name: Moshe) graduated from Martin Van Buren High School and attended City College in Harlem. During a summer trip to the Catskills, he met the love of his life, Judi B. Lerner (Hebrew name: Shana), and they shared a lifelong love. Ron completed his graduate studies at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he later served as a math professor. He worked as an Electrical Engineer for Lucent Technologies, contributing to multiple patents that helped shape modern technology. When personal computers first emerged, Ron eagerly embraced them, always keeping up with the latest technology and gadgets.

Ron and Judi settled in Marlboro and then Matawan, where they raised their family, before spending nearly thirty years in Bedminster. They made Aliyah to Israel, living in Natanya for four years before returning to Bridgewater in 2018.

Early in life, Ron worked as an ice cream man in Harlem, but his compassionate heart led him to give away ice cream to children who couldn’t afford it, resulting in an empty truck—and the end of his ice cream career. His kindness and generosity persisted throughout his life, whether volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, donating generously to St. Jude’s, or serving as a first aid officer at Lucent.

At age 60, Ron began playing roller hockey, forming close bonds with his teammates. He skated until age 80, eventually hanging up his hockey skates but continuing to skate recreationally. Also a skilled handyman, Ron enjoyed helping family and friends with home repairs and renovations—he even built a custom closet for Judi. He believed in doing good, not for recognition, but simply because it was right.

Ron’s perseverance defined him—he conquered his fear of heights by earning his pilot’s license, and flying across the country in a single-engine plane. His many hobbies reflected his curiosity and zest for life: playing his guitar, sailing his boat, the Abraxas, operating his ham radio, creating beautiful stained glass lamps, sun catchers, and running his glass business, Stained Sun Studios (pre-Etsy), flying RC planes and drones, learning coding and computer languages, exploring science and space, listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s talks about the universe, stargazing with his telescope, and enjoying dark skies with his family by his side. He loved comedians like Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jon Stewart, and some of his favorite movies included Pulp Fiction and Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles. He was a jokester with a sharp sense of humor, always ready for a laugh. But he was also a great person to talk to, someone who could walk you through a problem with care and wisdom.

Ron had a mischievous streak as well—he once got into trouble for rollerblading through the streets of Haiti during a cruise, another time he also got in trouble roller skating so many times in the Hills Plaza shopping center in Bedminster that they put up a 'no skating' sign “in his honor” and he was even kicked out of more than one roller rink for skating too fast.

Ron had a deep love for animals. He had many dogs and one cat over the years, and they all adored him—even the ones who didn’t like anyone else would love to lay by his side. His pets included Malted Milk, Demi Tass, Coco, Tiffany the cat, Cassie, and Dylan (aptly named after his favorite musician, Bob Dylan). Ron also rescued multiple stray animals, cleaned them up, and ensured they found good homes.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Judi Lessnick; his loving daughter, Stephanie Lerner; his accomplished son, Stephen Lessnick, and his wife, Michelle; and his cherished grandchildren, Jaden, Blue, Micah, Mason, and Kira. He will be deeply missed by his extended family, colleagues, and friends.

Zichrono Livracha—May his memory be a blessing.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ron's memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Donate Here .