Henry Lesmeister, Jr.

Henry Lesmeister, Jr. January 21, 1924 - July 3, 2015 Henry Lesmeister, 91, of St. Augustine, passed away on July 3, 2015. He was born in Wanne-Eikel, Germany in 1924 of Heinrich and Martha Lesmeister. He immigrated to New York in 1929 with his mother, sister, Eleanor, and brother Sigfried, to start a new life with his father who had established residence and work one year earlier. Henry's childhood was spent in various locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and attended New York University until enlisting in the U.S. Army, training as a Medic. After his military service he was employed for many years by John Hassall Inc. in Westbury, NY, overseeing their manufacturing operations, and then Becton, Dickinson and Co. in Canaan, CT until his retirement. As a young man, Henry was very involved with his horse, riding and singing country western songs. He also found great joy in the outdoors, hunting and fishing in remote areas of New York State and New England. Shooting was his passion, he was a prize winning marksman and spent time at the range with his friends until quite recently. In his later years, he was an avid reader, saving articles of interest for all the family members in their separate folders to be given when they came to visit. Henry is survived by his loving wife, Rosemarie; his daughter, Elaine Fornuto and her husband, Guy of Smithtown, NY; his son Henry Michael Lesmeister and his wife Molly of Spring, TX; 5 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; sister, Eleanor Hofmaenner of Uerikon, Switzerland; his stepchildren Claudia and her husband Joachim Weitz, Frank Theissen and his wife Sandra, residing in Germany and many, many dear friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Margarete, in 1999, and his brother Sigfried. Henry was a kind gentleman, loving husband and father, and will be sorely missed by all that knew him. The family would like to give a special thank you to Home Care and the Nurses at Bailey Family Center for Caring. A memorial mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, 2015 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church with Father Timothy Lindenfelser officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Community Hospice in memory of Henry Lesmeister, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257. St. Johns Family Funeral Home in St. Augustine is in charge of arrangements.