Lee Landon Metzger

Lee Landon Metzger, longtime resident of East Aurora, New York, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 8, 2023, at 97 years old.

Lee Landon Metzger was born on November 5, 1926 in Buffalo, New York, to Park L. Metzger and Ruth L. Metzger. He grew up in Buffalo, where he attended Buffalo Public School #64, (proudly built by his father), and Bennett High School, where he participated in rowing with the West Side Rowing Club.  During this time, Lee’s boat, a four-oared shell with coxswain, won the 1944 National Interscholastic Rowing Championships, an accomplishment he was most proud of.  Lee went on to attend Cornell University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, which he graduated with in 1949.  He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Lee proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II before returning to his profession as a Licensed Civil Engineer at Metzger Construction Corporation, a family business founded in 1916.  He worked on many notable building projects, including: Buffalo Forge Company, Fisher Price Toys, Buffalo Children’s Hospital, and Erie County Water Authority.  Following his time at Metzger Construction Co., Lee accepted a position with the State University of New York at Buffalo in the Design and Construction Department for seven years.  He retired in 1991.

Lee married Barbara Jean Odiorne on June 28, 1952, and together they had three sons, Jeffrey Town Metzger (1954-), Kris Landon Metzger (1957- 2018) and Mark Cunningham Metzger (1957-).  The family greatly enjoyed spending summers in Honey Harbor of Georgian Bay, Ontario, as well as in Lotus Bay, Lee's family's childhood summer home.  He enjoyed skiing weekends at the Buffalo Ski Club, taking ski vacations, and raising their family dogs.

In his free time, Lee enjoyed playing tennis, volunteering for the ski patrol at the Buffalo Ski Club, taking ski trips out west, and of course spending time with his beloved dogs.  Lee prided himself in the craftsmanship that he put into building his family home in East Aurora, New York, which he lived in independently until 95 years old.  Some of Lee’s favorite activities during his later years of life included having breakfast at Charlie’s and getting cookies from Daily’s.  Lee was a proud member of the First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora and attended regularly.  Lee will be remembered for his quick wit, dry humor, and his love of all animals, especially dogs.

Lee is survived by his sons, Jeffrey T. (Kathy) Metzger, of Manchester Center, Vermont; and Mark C.(late Susan) Metzger, of Surprise, Arizona; grandson Brandon (Molly) Metzger of Peoria, Arizona; granddaughters Erika L. (Brandon) Ture of Greenfield, New York; Megan N. (Justin) McAllister, of Rock City Falls, New York; and five great-grandchildren (Sullivan and Cooper Ture; Chloe, Cruse and Callan McAllister).  He is survived by his cousin Joan, three nephews, and many friends.

Lee was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Odiorne Metzger (2003); his son, Kris L. (Marti) Metzger (2018), and grandson, Justin L. (Sherry) Metzger (2016); brother Park L. (late Virginia) Metzger (2017); sister Margaret A. (late Frank) Keane (2018).

A family celebration of Lee’s life will be held in the Spring 2024.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the support and care provided by the staff at Bromley Manor in Manchester, Vermont, who loved Lee and treated him with the utmost professionalism and kindness.

If you would like, donations can be made to the East Aurora Boys and Girls Club.

Condolences may be sent to: Jeffrey Metzger, 150 North Ridge Run, Manchester, Vermont, 05255.

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

-Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken