Lee Fegelman

Lee Fegelman, 90, a resident of Manchester Center, VT, passed away June 9, 2017 at Albany Medical Center. Lee was born in Hartford, CT on June 12, 1926, the son of the late Samuel Fegelman and Sophie Levitsky Fegelman. Lee served his country as a member of the United States Navy during WWII. He was stationed in the Pacific war zone as a navigator and witnessed the signing of the peace treaty. Lee attended Trinity College and graduated from Emerson College earning his Bachelor's Degree. Lee, as a young man, was a radio announcer in Hartford, CT. He then began what became his life career in the textile industry, where he rose to the position of president of a division of J P Stevens. Through all his successes, Lee's greatest satisfaction and joy occurred while on the board of Southern Vermont Art Center. When the Wilson Project was conceived, Lee was asked to be the liaison between the Art Center and the architect. One would think that was enough, but no - not to Lee. He then instituted the Jazz Festival, joining Manchester, Dorset and the surrounding communities which featured young musical students. When the students performed, the room rocked! Wanting more, he invited professional musicians to perform. In one instance, the Dukes of Dixie from New Orleans requested sandwiches before the concert which was provided by the SVAC. Lee had asked a small group of students from Burr and Burton Academy to play outside while concert goers were arriving. The Dukes of Dixie, with sandwiches in hand, stood outside watching the next generation playing their hearts out! Because of his love of jazz, Lee brought to Manchester professional jazz musicians. The list included Dave Brubeck and his group, as well as the great John Pizzarelli and his group, along with his father, the awesome Buddy Pizzarelli who the non-technical Lee managed to put on speed dial. This was the real Lee because the young and the old were joined by their common interest. Lee is survived by his wife Joan (Darter) Fegelman of Manchester Center, Vermont whom he married in October 1989 in Stamford, CT, son Peter Fegelman and wife Ann of London, England, and their children Ricky of New York City and Caroline of Boston, MA, daughter Beth Genovese and husband Michael and their children Matthew and Daniella of Newtown, CT, Susan Fegelman of Austin, TX, stepdaughter Carol Howard and husband Guy of Newtown, CT and their children Sarah Worley and husband Alex of East Hartford, CT, David Howard and wife Emily of Newtown, CT, and Laura Herrmann and husband Gregg of Newtown, CT, step daughter Ronni-Jo Carpenter and husband John of North Yarmouth, ME and their children Scott Carpenter of Boston, MA, Robert Carpenter of Biddeford, ME and Alison Carpenter of Boston, MA, and six great grandchildren. Lee is also survived by sister Helen Lowe of Hartford, CT. Lee was predeceased by his first wife, Ricky Bobrick Fegelman. A graveside funeral service for Lee was held on Sunday June 11, 2017 in Dellwood Cemetery in Manchester, VT. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Lee's memory may be made to the Manchester Community Library, c/o Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center 05255. Lee was never judgmental. He was one who judged the book not by it's cover, but by it's contents. And though so our hearts are broken and we grieve our loss, we take strength knowing we had the fortune of having Lee in our lives. As has been said: "He was just a great guy!!" A graveside funeral service for Lee was held on Sunday June 11, 2017 in Dellwood Cemetery in Manchester, VT.