67°
VERPLANCK, N.Y. - John J. "Gar" Lenich, a lifelong resident of Verplanck, died Nov. 12. He was 89. A sports trivia buff and a World War II veteran, he retired from General Motors. He also was a 60-year member of the Verplanck Fire Department.
Lenich was born on Dec. 15, 1921 to John J. and Anna Lenich. During World War II, he served in the US Army Air Corps. He then worked as a trouble shooter for General Motors in Tarrytown until he retired in 1974.
Known as a "sports fanatic," Lenich had a knack for remembering every player's name and associated trivia, regardless of the sport. His sports knowledge was said to win him many debates at Chuck-N-Oley's.
He is survived by his sister Rosemarie Burns, a nephew, two nieces and his dear friend Dorothy Engdal. Lenich was predeceased by his twin brother Joseph, his brothers, Michael and Peter Lenich and his sisters O'Connor and Jennie Barber Grey.
Visitation hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home in Montrose. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church in Verplanck. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery also in Verplanck.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.
