Obituary of Leo Lipkowitz

Leo Lipkowitz of Ferndale, NY died on Thursday, November 22, 2012. He was 87 years old. The son of the late Molly and Nathan Lipkowitz, he was born on November 27, 1924. Leo was born in Otisville, NY where his parents owned a dairy farm. He moved to Ferndale, NY with his parents and brother, George around 1940. With his parents and late brother George, he ran a successful farm as well as the Lipkowitz Bungalow Colony in Ferndale. The farm went out of business in the early 1960's when Route 17 divided the farm in two but the bungalow colony thrived until Leo and George sold it in 2005. The Lipkowitz Bungalow Colony was a family resort highly regarded by the guests, who became an extended part of the Lipkowitz family. They returned year after year and there was a long waiting list of people who wanted to rent a bungalow from Leo and George. The bungalow colony has been mentioned in a number of histories of the Catskill Mountains. In addition to running the bungalow colony with his brother, Leo worked on the Carrlands' Dairy farm after the Lipkowitz farm closed for nearly 30 years until the Carrlands' Dairy farm closed. He was a wonderful friend to his neighbors, often plowing their driveways after storms, or mowing their lawns if they were unable. He also gave generously to many charities. Leo married Elaine Goldhammer in 1951 and they had a long, loving marriage that lasted for the rest of his life. Leo and Elaine raised two children, Michael and Stanley, who are successful physicians and scientists. Leo was a devoted, husband, father and grandfather. Leo is survived by his wife Elaine; his sons: Michael and his wife, Andrea, Stanley and his wife, Patricia; his grandchildren: Steven, Joanne, Katherine and Sarah; his sisters-in-law: Phyllis Lipkowitz and Arlene Goldhammer; and his nephew: Kenneth, Robert, David, and Bryan. He is predeceased by his parents Molly and Nathan and his brother George, who died in 2008. Funeral services will be held on November 25, 2012 at 12 noon at the Ahavath Israel Synagogue, 39 Chestnut Street, Liberty, NY. Burial will follow at the Ahavath Israel Synagogue Cemetery, Hysana Road, Liberty, NY. Memorial contributions can be made in Leo's name to the Ahavath Israel Synagogue, 39 Chestnut Street, Liberty, NY Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello. For further service details, to leave an online condolence, or for directions to the cemetery, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com