Obituary of Leonard A. Van Stry

Leonard A. Van Stry, 71, formerly of Gerry, NY, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 at his home in San Antonio, Florida following a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Christine Emley Van Stry, whom he married December 3, 1966. He was born October 14, 1941 in Boston, MA, a son of the late Philip A. "Red" and Gladys Edwards Van Stry. Len was a 1959 graduate of Jamestown High School and served four years in the US Air Force. He graduated from Jamestown Community College in 1965. Len was employed by Chautauqua Hardware before becoming co-founder and Vice President of Vanson Superior Brass Corporation in Sinclairville, NY. After moving to the Florida Keys in 1989, he became co-owner of Lower Keys Realty. Following his retirement in 2006, he and Christine moved to the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio. He was a member of the Gerry and Big Pine Key Lions Club, as well as the Big Pine Key Moose Club. An avid fan of NASCAR and the Buffalo Bills, Len enjoyed golfing, scuba diving and Caribbean cruises with his brothers and sister. He loved attending his grandchildren's sports events, including football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, cheerleading and ballet recitals. In addition to his wife Christine, surviving are four children: Timothy (Christine) Van Stry of Hickory, NC, Deborah Van Stry of Big Pine Key, FL, Jennifer (Sam) Restivo of Lakewood, NY, and Kelli (Ken) Fricke of Big Pine Key; and eight grandchildren: Ashley and Timothy Van Stry of Hickory, NC, Arrington Restivo of Lakewood, NY, and Clayton and Brieauna Van Stry and Andie, Kenny and Bailey Fricke, all of Big Pine Key, FL. Also surviving are three brothers: Philip (Kathy) Van Stry of West Ellicott, William (Darla) Van Stry of Jamestown and Robert (Mary) Van Stry of North Port FL; a sister, Lorraine (Bill) Miley of Jamestown; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14th in the Lind Funeral Home. Deacon Samuel Pellerito will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to LINKS Charity, c/o WCA Office of Development, P.O. Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14702-0840; or to HPH Hospice, 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667.