Lewis B. Lenz, an avid fisherman, passed peacefully on Monday July 12, 2021 , at his homestead in Macedon, NY. He was 62.
He was born on Jan. 31, 1959 to Robert Lenz and Margaret Schumacher in Damariscotta, Maine. He attended and graduated New Rochelle High School.
He was very athletic in football and wrestling. He attended Boy Scouts of America camps for many years and became proficient in various trades and excelled in wood and metal working. He developed a love for the outdoors on summer trips to Walderboro, Maine, where his family rented cottages. There he dug clams, fished, and spent the summers exploring and connecting with the surrounding nature.
Lewis ultimately settled down and married Marie Saltrelli, a Fairport native who he had two children with. Although the marriage did not last, their friendship continued for the rest of his life.
Lewis worked as a lineman with Fairport Electric for 30+ years in upstate New York, spending his days setting up and maintaining power lines that keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses. From simple tasks such as hanging the annual Christmas lights in the trees in the village to spending countless hours helping the community recover from intense winter storms.
When not working, Lewis enjoyed hunting, boating, and fishing, collecting trophies from Dansville to Key West. He took pride in his residence, spending time carefully cultivating 2 his landscaping skills into true lawn artistry, outdoing himself with each new year with bright beautiful palettes of colors and arrangements that impressed all who were lucky enough to view it, (the same is true about his mighty, walrus like mustache). While some said “best lawn in Wayne County’’, others said the State.
The idea of bringing edible and ornamental gardening together isn’t a new concept, the French have been doing it for centuries, providing beauty and bounty in the forms of flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs. Lewis spent decades perfecting this skill and combined colorful flowering plants, enclosures and crisp edges that transformed his Spring plot of soil into a masterpiece.
Lewis worked more than most, not just in the garden and garage but on building meaningful relationships that would last a lifetime. He was a very caring and compassionate man, who was always there to lend a helping hand asking nothing in return. Deep down, many of us want to be seen for the things we do for others. Extraordinary people don’t think this way. Lewis had the willingness to be invisible and would just be there for you cause you asked.
He is survived by: his son, Matthew, daughter, Kelly. Ex-wife and closest friend Marie Saltrelli, Mother, Margaret, Brother, Nils, Sisters Margie and Trina and grandson, Silas, who he referred to as “Spanky” and other relatives, friends, his VW Bug and distinctive mustache.
A Memorial Service will be held on July 20 at 10am at White Haven All Seasons Chapel at 210 Marsh Rd, Pittsford, NY 14534
Comments
27 responses to “Lenz, Lewis B.”
Was a good friend to me, he was a hard ass worker, he knew his stuff, will miss him.had good times I will remember ?
You were one of the greats. Love and miss you brother!
I was honored to be Lew’s co worker and friend. He will be missed my many. Until we meet again. Be your brother keeper Truck 61 copy that.RIP Lew
I was so sorry to hear Lew is no longer with us. It was always great to hear him and his beloved VW arrive at the car show. We had a wonderful trip driving out to Avon and many evenings at car shows in Webster. It was always a toss up for him when the Summer weather was nice, boat or Bug? He always had a smile on his face and had energy to spare. My condolences to his family and friends. He was a great, kind man and will be missed.
RIP Louie! He may have lived in upstate NY, but his heart & soul was here in New Rochelle along with his love for his 3rd Street Boys especially my brother Paulie. Now they will be in Heaven singing Elvis songs together! RIP Louie – Love Jeannie & Michael d/b/a Doo Wop Michael!
So sorry ! Lou and I shared a doctor and all the health issues that caused his passing. All his boat friends and we are many! We had great times. To early is an understatement. I’m a month older! I’ll see you in time my friend. Thanks for you help and friendship!!
He was an amazing Uncle
He will be missed by many! I used to pick him up at the Key West airport and drive him up the Keys to meet Freddy.
We’d have lunch together and then off they’d go for a week of fishing and fun.
Every summer he would have the greatest Lobsterfest at his home with “the works!”
He was a straight shooting, tell it like it is guy who loved talking about all of his friends in New Rochelle!
All of his Canandaigua friends are really going to miss him❤️
Rest In Peace, Lew. I hope you are having one hell of a reunion with all of your buds! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Lew for being the best neighbor ever for 27 years! We are truly blessed to be able to step outside everyday and enjoy your handiwork – the bluebirds that nest in your handmade birdhouses, the veggies, trees and flowers that you always shared and all the advice on household projects and lawn care (that we never seemed to get right!) ?
Lew always offered a friendly wave as we pulled in the driveway. Just wish we had a chance to say goodbye. ?
Tim and Debbie
His Kindness was True,His laughter touched your Heart, his willingness was never ending,his joy of Life touched others, his words of encouragement softened the Soul,his Smile was filled Sunshine.He was a Kindred Spirit.
Lew was one of very few who took me under his wing and taught me the foundation I needed to succeed in the trade. Thank you Lew I have never forgotten what you taught me, and never will. RIP
Lew was a true Jack of all trades and always a gentleman. Men of his kind make the world a better place. That he left this life too soon is an understatement. We will miss him immensely.
Michael
A good and friendly neighbor….Lew will be missed.
First met Louis in the 3rd grade at Trinity School. He left a lasting impression on me and he will never be forgotten. RIP Lou
So sorry to hear of Lew’s passing. We have been neighbors for almost thirty years. Always friendly. Beautiful piece of property. He will be missed.
I knew Lewis since Kindergarten and was a member of his wonderful father’s Cub Scout Troop. While he sometimes had a tough exterior, those who knew him knew of his big heart! I hope he knew how many of us truly loved and admired this wonderful man! I hope his Mom, ex wife, kids, grandchild and siblings know how many of us are truly distraught by his premature death. Rest In Peace my dear friend!
So very sorry for your loss. I knew Lou through little league baseball. Great guy, would do anything to help out.
Lou & Marie were wonderful neighbors to our son, Gary Lang. I still envision their beautiful yard. He always was walking behind my husband, Bud, making sure there were no spent cig. butts left on the “green carpet.” This amazed me, realizing how important the yard was to Lou. RIP Lou, I hope you find Gary, who is already in Heaven.
So very sorry for your loss. He is a part of so many fond childhood memories. Thinking of you Kelly and Matt.
Brother Lewis, my Heart dropped when I learned about you passing through this LIFE, to your next, Lewis ? We Respected Each other, my Brother ????We always ATTEMPTED to take our PASSIONS, to the NEXT LEVEL ?Much Love and Respect, Lewis….
My BROTHER ?
Rest easy Uncle Lew. Glad I was able to see you when I was home last month. Wish we had more time. Love ya man
Lew and I first met on the football field Albert Leonard vs Isaac, only by contact. Him tackling me and me wondering who that guy was. Then we finally met on Jv and were teammates through our varsity years. Even after high school we kept in touch through Facebook, reunions and of course when I saw Joe Bergamini he would tell me Louie was in town. I just missed him recently when he was in town and went fishing with Otis and Bergamini. Rest In Peace, Class of 77.
Lots of great memories from Isaac E. Young Middle School through High School Louie gave me my childhood nickname “JR “not sure why he chose that name, but it stuck.
Rest in peace Brother
I am part of a generation of Fairport Electric summer helpers who worked with Lew for years. He absolutely loved when us summer kids would show up. Sure he was exasperated when we refused to dig any more trenches underneath driveways. But he loved our spirit and he loved us. Rest In Peace Lew!
Lewis was a great guy and he will be missed so much by all of his school friends. It breaks my heart that he left so soon
Lewie was too good to leave so soon. Great friend to all of us in lower Westchester NY. May he rest in peace and may his family find peace knowing how much he was truly loved and admired.