BEEKMAN – Leonard Eisen, of Poughquag and formerly of Suffern, born on June 30, 1929, died on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center after a long illness. He was 86.
Son of the late Abraham and Fay Eisen (Rabona), he was born and raised in the Bronx.
Leonard was a member of the National Guard for 20 years, and worked as a reporter with Jimmy Breslin during the Korean War. He ran a successful advertising agency in Manhattan, married and had two daughters, Cathie of New Mexico, and Nancy of Nyack, NY.
Leonard loved fishing, singing, acting, show tunes, opera and fine restaurants. He was an active member of the Knights of Pythias in Suffern and passionately involved with the Antrim Playhouse, now in Montebello, where he performed in many plays during the 1960s, and was part of the theater family. In 1969, he remarried. He travelled to Italy six times with Donna (Chase) Eisen, who passed away in 2006. They enjoyed traveling immensely. Leonard bought, sold and collected old paintings for many years. He mastered the art of repairing elaborate frames and found great joy in his work.
In addition to being survived by his daughters, he is also survived by five grandchildren: Cathie’s sons Esteban and his wife Rika of California and David and his wife Ashley of New Mexico, and Nancy’s children Urban and his wife Anna of Queens, NY, Zoe of Florida, and Henry of Nyack, NY. He also has nine great-grandchildren.
Leonard was a very active member and board member of the Noi Italiani Di Oggi (Italians of Today) in Poughkeepsie for many years, and will be sorely missed by his friends there. On the first Thursday in June, a scholarship will be awarded in his name to a student studying Italian language and culture. He would have been proud and humbled. Friends are welcome to attend this meeting as Leonard will be recognized and remembered. The family will be holding a small, private service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family to assist them during this difficult time. Donations may be made to the Eisen Family, c/o MFH, PO Box A, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533.
