Johnson Jr., LeRoy Edward

Lee Johnson passed away on November 23, 2025 at the age of 82. He was born in Rochester, New York on January 12, 1943 to Florence Murdoch Johnson and LeRoy Edward Johnson. He graduated from Pittsford Sutherland High School in 1960 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from SUNY Geneseo, a Master’s degree in education from Nazareth College and a CAS in public school administration from SUNY Brockport. 

He taught for three years in the Webster Central School District and then went back to his hometown, proudly spending most of his teaching and administrative careers in the Pittsford Central School District. His time with Pittsford included a 2 year teaching assignment at the International School of Belgrade, Pittsford’s Sister School. His life was profoundly altered and enriched by this experience in too many ways to enumerate. 

What never changed was his love of teaching elementary school, mostly 5th and 6th grades. In addition to giving the kids a solid dose of the 3Rs he strove to make learning fun whenever he could. He discussed current events with his class each morning. He read chapter books to them every day after lunch and made up funny little stories about such things as imaginary cork farms with cork herding dogs while the students were learning about the products of Portugal. 

Eventually he switched careers to become an administrator. First he was a middle school assistant principal at Barker Road and then became Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services and Special Education. As head of the Committee on Special Education he put great effort into finding the least restrictive and most appropriate educational program for each child who came before the committee. Many people may not have known how many hours he put into this job at home to make sure that everything went as smoothly as possible. He prided himself on finding workable solutions to difficult problems regarding students. But life was not all work and no play. Lee had a multitude of hobbies and interests. He always cheered for the Buffalo Bills. At various times in his life he played softball, golf, tennis and he bowled. He was on Bowling for Dollars and won the Jackpot, telling the emcee that he would spend his winnings on something frivolous and extravagant. He loved all kinds of music including classical, old-time country music such as Willie Nelson, and show tunes. It wasn’t unusual for him to be bellowing out Poor Judd is Dead from a golfcart with his friend Dan. He also loved traveling and telling people stories about his trips. Healways loved good food and drink and going to restaurants and bars, from the simplest to the most elegant. 

And he was an inveterate collector. He was known for his coin collection, fine wine collection, and mostly his astonishing logo golf ball collection. There were many other default collections that he declared were just things he saved, not really collections. He must have been a natural born leader and organizer because he was often asked to take on and stay in leadership roles. He was the teacher union president in Pittsford twice, head of Pittsford’s Sister School Program with the International School of Belgrade, and president of International Sister Cities of Rochester. When he retired from Pittsford he took on the job of director of the National Association of Pupil Service Administrators. He was the organizer of monthly lunches for his high school buddies and the annual NCAA basketball pool with some friends. 

However, the greatest joys of his life came from loving his family and close friends. He always followed the lives of his nieces and nephews as they were growing up and more recently he has enjoyed following Ela through all of her musical accomplishments, watching her performances whenever he could. He also got a kick out of telling her how many days old she was on each birthday. Additionally, he enjoyed mentoring and helping anyone who came to him with a dilemma or problem, be it large or small. He had an inborn problem-solving aptitude, a great sense of humor and a natural charisma that made people like and care about him. His absence will be felt by many. Rest in peace, Lee. 

He is survived by his wife Maurine, sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Rob Nelson, Petar Kodzas and Ines Draskovic, Ela Kodzas, and Bob and Jill Kravetz. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Rob Nelson, Kristin and Michael Goclowski, Jillian Nelson, Marc and Kim Potocsky, Adam Kravetz and Jenny MacDonald, Lauren Bonnet and several great nieces and nephews. 

Calling Hours Monday December 15, 2025 10-11:30Am at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, where a Funeral Service will immediately after.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Perinton Ambulance, 1400 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY 14450 or a charity of your choice.