Obituary of Leon D. Starr
Leon D. Starr, of Rye, NY, passed away February 14, 2025 after a long, healthy, and successful life! Lee was born in Boston June 10, 1918 to loving parents Eva and Myer Starr, Jewish emigres who had fled religious persecution in Russia.
A keen intellect, he won a scholarship to Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1940. He married his sweetheart Adele Landau in 1942, and they were married 64 years until her death in 2006. He later was married to Jacqueline Bellsey for 10 happy years until her death in 2018.
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US Navy, went through “90-day wonder” training, and served for four years on a destroyer escort as a communications officer, reaching the rank of lieutenant. While serving in the Atlantic, his ship assisted in sinking a U-boat, rescued more than 600 sailors from a sinking aircraft carrier, and helped in rescue operations of a burning oil tanker.
After discharge from the Navy, he joined Allied Stores, where he worked for over 4 decades becoming a top executive in their PA, TX, and NYC locations. Ever a supporter of social justice causes, in 1963 he helped lead the way in ensuring the smooth racial integration of businesses in Dallas. He was president of Dallas Symphony Orchestra and served on numerous charitable and civic boards throughout his life. After he retired he was a much sought after retail consultant working well into his 90s.
In 1967 he moved from Dallas to Mamaroneck. He joined Beach Point Club, becoming one of its longest-term members and served as Commodore. He was a great sailor and enjoyed sailing for many decades on Long Island Sound with family and friends. Lee wholeheartedly embraced a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition and exercise. He was a fantastic tennis player and enjoyed playing tennis, often weekly, until he was 97 years old.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, collecting art, attending lectures and exhibits, as
well as plays and musicals. He had a phenomenal memory for the lyrics of The Great American Songbook, being able to recite lyrics to almost any song well into his 10th decade.
A true lifelong learner, he was very involved as an alumnus of both The Boston Latin School and Harvard University, taking great pride in both institutions, speaking at, and regularly attending alumni and university events, including at age 100 attending the Harvard Yale football game where he was interviewed on the field and broadcast on the jumbotron. He was an avid reader belonging to several book clubs and discussion groups right up until his passing, and he truly enjoyed his morning paper!
Lee was a wonderfully loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, and source of unconditional love and support to many. He is survived by son Jonathan and his wife Angel Davis, of Framingham, MA, son Frederick and his wife Kelly Starr of Roswell, GA, and granddaughter Hazel Kiefer and her husband Adam Kaszynski and their sons Clay and Eden, of Lynn MA, as well as several close nieces and nephew, including David Starr, of Brookline, MA, Jennifer Brochin, of Israel, Joan Blackman of Newton, MA and Annie Kirshner of Chicago,IL.
A memorial luncheon will be held at Beach Point Yacht Club, Mamaroneck, NY, March 23, 2025 from noon-3 pm and will also be held on Zoom. For more information about the life celebration contact 914-450-3906.