In memoriam - Rockville Centre mourns Lester Wilensky

Many from the Rockville Centre community are mourning the loss of Lester Wilensky, 85, who died on Dec. 18 from complications of a fall. The highly decorated World War II veteran was active in a number of veterans organizations including American Legion Post 303 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a Knight of Pythias. His contributions on the battlefield and as a civilian earned him the respect and admiration of family, friends and colleagues, and permanent recognition in the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

Staff Sergeant Wilensky served as a combat engineer in the first wave of the D-Day invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944. The sole survivor of his unit, SSGT Wilensky played a key role in the breakout from the Normandy beaches and saw action in nearly every major campaign in the European Theater, earning him a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, as well as the French Croix de Guerre. He was awarded the rank of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor and was a fellow at the New York Academy of Science.

As a civilian, Les’ dedication to his community also won accolades. A 50-year Boy Scout leader, Les was recognized with the Silver Beaver award and the Iroquois Council Award of Merit.

A retired chemical engineer, Wilensky leaves behind his wife, Elaine and two grown children. His funeral took place on Tuesday. A full obituary will appear in an upcoming issue of the Herald.