It saddens me to think that Lenny is gone. He was a really fine person - a good friend to me at a time when I needed one. He was kind to everyone, fun without being silly, and very much his own man. That and the fact that he had a heart of gold always endeared him to me - A special person whom I know is sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Lenny moved to Ridgefield, (from?), in 1953 and became our newest RJHS 7th grade classmate. He had very little trouble fitting in and quickly became very popular because of his positive spirit, great personality and aptitude at all sports. Also, I remember him as more mature and bigger than most of us guys (certainly me!!).
Lenny graduated with the RJHS class of 55 and of course with the DMHS class of 58.
Many of you may not know Lenny went on to the University of Rhode Island with a bunch of us from DMHS, (Margo Larson, Doris VanDerbeek, Sally Ihrig, Jimmy Sprintz, Charlie Lee and myself), in the fall of 58. Lenny graduated in the fall of 1962 with a degree in Physical Education and was a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity.
During our senior year @ URI (61-62) Lenny and I lived off-campus together. It was then I really got to know him as a friend. Lenny had this unbelievable work ethic..... whether it was home work, or sports or whatever, Lenny worked it with a passion and would push himself as hard as anyone to accomplish his goals.
Obviously, Lenny was always super competitive. This would lead to the 2 of us pushing one another into all kinds of games and challenges. One time, I showed him how I could pick up our kitchen chair one-handed at floor level. He tried and failed. He was furious with himself and spent all night trying and finally the next morning he proudly showed me not only could he do it but he added some more weight to the chair!!
My favorite memory that senior year was when URI's second string tight end Leonard Thompson caught a pass in the flat on the run, broke a few tackles and rambled 40 yards for a touchdown duiring a close contest against arch rival Brown Univ..... "Way to go, Big T!!"
I never saw or heard from Lenny after graduation. Now 46 years have come & gone. I was shocked to learn he is no longer with us and have no idea when or why it happened. Life continues to be an ongoing challenge for me to understand. Lenny's loss has helped me crystalize this concept.... we are connected with the memories of our past and because of this, my old friend Lenny remains alive to me and I am sure many of you today.
Lenny was the co-captain on our football team that won the state championship. I remember him as not only a fine player but also as a leader on that team.
Lenny worked hard and contributed a lot to the team. He was kind, considerate and a dear friend. He was an A1 personality and I am happy to have spent 3 years with him at DMHS.
Barbara LaPointe Lowell (LaPointe)
It saddens me to think that Lenny is gone. He was a really fine person - a good friend to me at a time when I needed one. He was kind to everyone, fun without being silly, and very much his own man. That and the fact that he had a heart of gold always endeared him to me - A special person whom I know is sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.Edward Puletz
In memory of Leonard ThompsonLenny moved to Ridgefield, (from?), in 1953 and became our newest RJHS 7th grade classmate. He had very little trouble fitting in and quickly became very popular because of his positive spirit, great personality and aptitude at all sports. Also, I remember him as more mature and bigger than most of us guys (certainly me!!).
Lenny graduated with the RJHS class of 55 and of course with the DMHS class of 58.
Many of you may not know Lenny went on to the University of Rhode Island with a bunch of us from DMHS, (Margo Larson, Doris VanDerbeek, Sally Ihrig, Jimmy Sprintz, Charlie Lee and myself), in the fall of 58. Lenny graduated in the fall of 1962 with a degree in Physical Education and was a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity.
During our senior year @ URI (61-62) Lenny and I lived off-campus together. It was then I really got to know him as a friend. Lenny had this unbelievable work ethic..... whether it was home work, or sports or whatever, Lenny worked it with a passion and would push himself as hard as anyone to accomplish his goals.
Obviously, Lenny was always super competitive. This would lead to the 2 of us pushing one another into all kinds of games and challenges. One time, I showed him how I could pick up our kitchen chair one-handed at floor level. He tried and failed. He was furious with himself and spent all night trying and finally the next morning he proudly showed me not only could he do it but he added some more weight to the chair!!
My favorite memory that senior year was when URI's second string tight end Leonard Thompson caught a pass in the flat on the run, broke a few tackles and rambled 40 yards for a touchdown duiring a close contest against arch rival Brown Univ..... "Way to go, Big T!!"
I never saw or heard from Lenny after graduation. Now 46 years have come & gone. I was shocked to learn he is no longer with us and have no idea when or why it happened. Life continues to be an ongoing challenge for me to understand. Lenny's loss has helped me crystalize this concept.... we are connected with the memories of our past and because of this, my old friend Lenny remains alive to me and I am sure many of you today.
Tod Puletz
Melvin Drakeford
Lenny was the co-captain on our football team that won the state championship. I remember him as not only a fine player but also as a leader on that team.Lenny worked hard and contributed a lot to the team. He was kind, considerate and a dear friend. He was an A1 personality and I am happy to have spent 3 years with him at DMHS.