Kenneth “Kenny” W. Lessard, age 86, of Gladstone, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017 at Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.
Kenny was born August 22, 1930 in Gladstone, MI the son of Walter and Alma (Sebeck) Lessard. Kenny was a 1949 graduate of Gladstone High School. After high school, he joined the National Guard. He married Mary Bulchak on October 22, 1951. The had one daughter, Susan. Ken started working at Super Value in Gladstone, becoming their produce manager. He was a member of the 328 chapter of Teamsters. Kenny built the first indoor, in ground swimming pool in Gladstone. May friends and family members enjoyed it very much.
After retiring at age 56, he went on to “Kenny Shop.” There are a lot of kitchens that were remodeled by him. If you brought him an idea on how to build something, he would build it. In later years, he built wooden cradles for the girls and wooden tool boxes for the boys. He later donated them to St. VIncent DePaul. Kenny had many friends, with his wife Mary. They went on many trips to Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Aruba, and also a couple of cruises. They went with two other couples, the Walbacks and the Wesoloskis’, playing pinochle to fund their trips.
Kenny was an original. He would do just about anything for anyone. He was a husband, father, and grandfather. He was a carpenter, coin collector, drinker of 4J’s coffee and a friend to a lot of people.
He was a member of Wildlife Unlimited where he was able to put his talents to work. He built a sled with the Wildlife Unlimited logo on it to be raffled off at their banquet. He taught the neighbors, Butch Irving and Tom Povich, a lot about carpentree, and Butch about potato sausage making. “Doc” VanBrocklin was his cohort. What one didn’t think of making, the other one did.
In addition to his loving wife, Mary of 65 years, he is survived by:
1 Daughter: Susan Timmer of Gladstone, MI
2 Grandchildren: Lee Timmer of Gladstone, MI
Liberty Timmer of Marinette, WI
1 Brother: Lloyd (Doris) Lessard
1 Sister: Madaline (Conrad) Pratt of Escanaba, MI with their children
1 Sister-In-Law: Shirley Nelson/Larsen
Niece: Francene (John) “Londo” Berglund
Nephews: Chris Londo, Gary (Terry) Nelson, Greg (Julie) Nelson
Special Friends: Terry “Doc” VanBrocklin, Tom and Carol Povich, Butch and Carla Irving, and Lucy Jolly
In addition to his parents, Kenny was preceded in death by:
1 Brother: Francis Lessard
2 Brother-In-Laws: Edward Nelson and Gerald Londo
Family will receive friends Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services will follow visiting hours at 3:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Brian Gerber officiating. A luncheon will follow at All Saints Catholic Church Fellowship Hall. Kenny will be laid to rest at Gardens of Rest in Wells, MI.
Gale - gladstone, mi
Sue, and Mrs. Lessard,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers, Call me if you need something, or need to talk.
Love,
Gale
Mary Madden-Malnor - Gladstone, MI
I am so sorry for your loss. Peace and prayers sent to your family .
Brian Peterson - Valley Village, CA
To Mrs. Lessard, Sue, and all the family I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. Kenny was a legend in the neighborhood, always quick with a word of advice or just a funny story. The neighborhood kids enjoyed all the block parties he & Doug used to throw on the street, and swimming in your pool was a treat that always made us feel special. The carpentry work he did for my grandmother, Fern Hall, is still in place at 704, and I always thought so highly of him for how well he treated her. There was never a dull moment working with him at Super Valu, as he always kept us on our toes, and in fits of laughter. He was a great neighbor, coworker, and friend to me. I am grateful for the time spent in his presence, whether on Minnesota Avenue, at camp, or just throwing boxes of lettuce around at the Super Valu. Rest in peace, Kenny, and thanks.
Ann Marie Bizeau - Garner, NC
Heartfelt condolences to you all in the loss of Kenny. May the beautiful memories help get you all through your loss. Kenny was a WONDERFUL man, always cheerful and fun to be around. he had a special way to make one feel welcomed. Truly a blessing to all. Thoughts and prayers to each of you.
Mike Lessard - TINLEY PARK, IL
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Kenny. I will always remember and cherish our phone conversations. Although they were way too infrequent, I will miss his direct and “matter of fact” wit and humor. He was a man who genuinely cared and would always ask how I was doing, along with my family. Our conversations didn’t last long, but I felt refreshed every time I talked to him.
Always in my prayers.
Irene Lessard-Higgins - Boynton Beach, Fl
Dear Aunt Mary and family. I’m sorry to hear of your loss. No matter the distance of miles and years you have always been a part of my family. Love you all in this time of sorrow.
Becky Hamilton - Perrysburg, OH
It saddens me deeply having to read this and not having the ability to be up there for the funeral. I ask myself about the best times growing up, and most of them happen to be the summers spent in Kenny and Mary’s pool. Kenny and Mary were like my grandparents for a large portion of my life! Swimming wasn’t the only thing that Kenny and Mary offered to my childhood. The cold winters walking home from Jones school would often be brutal. I would take a shortcut through the alley and warm up in his wood shop and watch him work. Sometimes he would PUT me to work. He loved his coins too! Every summer he would come over to my house and ask me to make him signs for the annual coin shows. And every year I would! For my wedding, he even gave us some of those rare coins as our gift. They have remained in my jewelry box and always will now.
Anyone who lived on the 600 block of Minnesota Ave knew how much Kenny loved to just sit out on his porch. You could see him sitting there several blocks down reading the paper or just “taking it all in” every day! Many hours spent sitting on that porch with him. Sometimes not talking much, other times just chatting about “who-knows-what”.
Kenny, I remember every birthday of yours when i was a child. We would decorate your porch for those cool mornings you would come out to just sit. I mowed your lawn, swam in your pool (I have never swam in a better pool than you had to this day), played at your house, worked in your workshop for school projects. You were the type of neighbor who would just walk in our house, but yet it felt so natural. You looked over us. You kept us kids on our toes too! You were such a big part of my childhood and I am so thankful for that experience. You shaped part of my childhood and I will forever be grateful to you.