Obituary of Leonard Symansky
Dr. Leonard Symansky, age 88 of Delmar, NY died on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home in Albany. Born in Albany, Leonard was a lifelong Capital District resident. He was a graduate of Phillip Schuyler High School, class of 1949, Syracuse University, and attended Siena College and George Washington University. Mr. Symansky served as an assistant professor at the College of St. Rose in Albany where he taught French until 1975. From 1977-1997, Dr. Symansky taught at Columbia-Greene Community College where he eventually became full professor of modern languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian. He became a member of both the NYS Association of Foreign Language Teachers and was the recipient of several awards including the Ruth E. Wesley Award for Excellence and the President’s Award for Excellence from Columbia Greene Community College. Upon his retirement he received the SUNY Albany Chancellor’s s Award for Excellence in teaching. Dr. Symansky and his wife were world travelers. He was a member of Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob in Albany, Ne’imah Jewish Community Chorale and the American Association of Retired Teachers. Dr. Symansky was an avid photographer and stamp collector, as well as a student of piano and art, activities that he adored.
Dr. Symansky is survived by his loving wife, Selma and numerous cousins.
Services at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue Albany on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 2pm. Interment will follow in the Beth Abraham Jacob Cemetery in Guilderland, NY. Those wishing to remember Dr. Symansky in a special way may make a memorial contribution to Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob 380 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208 or a charity of your choice. The period of mourning will be observed at the Massry Residence, 180 Washington Avenue Extension, Apartment 125 in Albany on Thursday from 6-8pm with a service at 7pm, from 10-12 on Friday and commencing again on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 with a service at 7:00pm.
Dr. Symansky’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciate to his caregivers, DeGama McDuffie and Shanasia Stratton.
