Leo Biedermann 1939-2016

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Obituary written by  Elaine Biedermann

BIEDERMANN, LEO EVERETT

LEO WAS BORN MARCH 25,1939 TO EVERETTE C. AND MARIE RICKER BIEDERMANN, IN NYACK, NEW YORK HOSPITAL.  HIS PARENTS BROUGHT HIM HOME TO LIVE THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PEARL RIVER. LEO PASSED ON SEPTEMBER 23rd SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

LEO ATTENDED PEARL RIVER SCHOOL FROM KINDERGARTEN TO GRADUATION IN 1957. HE JOINED “ROCKLANDS OWN” NYS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WAS FEDERALIZED WITH THEM DURING THE “BERLIN CRISIS” IN 1961 & 1962,  AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT WHEN HIS ENLISTMENT OBLIGATION WAS FULFILLED IN 1965 LEO WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC MOTORCYCLIST SINCE HIS TEENAGE YEARS AND WAS A SUCCESSFUL DIRT TRACK & ROAD RACER IN HIS TWENTIES HE WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED CARPENTER AND BUILT HIS OWN AND MANY HOMES AND ADDITIONS DURING ROCKLAND’S HOME BUILDING BOOM. HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF L.U.964 CARPENTERS LOCAL FOR MOST OF HIS CAREER.

LEO ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS AND SPENT MANY SPARE DAYS ON CAMPING TRIPS WITH HIS SON  (BILL) AND WIFE ELAINE, AS WELL AS MANY FRIENDS. HE BELONGED TO HUNTING & FISHING CLUBS BOTH IN CLARKSTOWN AND PEARL RIVER.

LEO ENJOYED TAKING CARE OF HIS HOME AND GROUNDS WHERE HE AND ELAINE YEARLY HAD A VEGETABLE GARDEN. THEY ALSO MADE GRAPE JELLY & WINE AND CANNED VEGETABLES FOR WINTER USE.

HE WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS SON, BILL AND HIS FAMILY, KERRI (WIFE) & CHILDREN AVA, NIALL AND EMMET.

HE WAS A MEMBER OF ST. MARGARETS R.C. CHURCH ALL HIS LIFE AND HAD A GREAT MEMORY OF LOCAL HISTORY.  HE HAD MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT WILL TRULY MISS HIM.

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A Mass of Christian Burial for Leo  will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at St. Margaret's R.C. Church, 115 W. Central Ave., Pearl River, N.Y.

Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.

Visiting is Monday from 3 to 5 pm  and 7 to 9 pm at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Ave. Pearl River, NY. 10965

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Remembrances

Tom O'Brien:  It’s with great sadness that a share this email that I just received. Leo was truly good guy. He was an active, honorary member of the class of 58. I will greatly miss him.

Gail Scales:   He always had a smile and friendly hello - the epitome of how we all like to remember our hometown!

Peg (Ingafu) Leo:  What a huge loss of my childhood playmate who lived right across the street.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Elaine and her family

Peggy (Ingafu) and Bob Leo.

DeeDee deRoode:  Oh, I’m SO sorry!  He and I talked endlessly at the 2003  reunion and the subsequent get-togethers at various diners.  

Bob Stokstad:  When I started riding a motorcycle in 1958, Leo became a mentor.  He was an accomplished rider and I tagged along to some dirt track races. Fortunately,  Leo was there to provide comfort when I got my first ticket.  It was so much fun to swap stories with him many years later at the open house that Elaine and he hosted after the multi-class memorial service on September 5, 2013.  Here's Leo in his garage showing us his beloved Triumphs from that era.

Gene Cooper:   So sorry to learn of Leo's death. I really didn't know Leo in high school, but I got to know him over the years from our work together on the reunion groups and social gatherings. He and Elaine were active and very productive members of the reunion planning meetings. Leo was a wonderfully decent person. When talking with him you always felt that he genuinely was interested in what you were saying, and he always added his own relevant insight and opinion into the conversation. As we all know he was so knowledgeable about Pearl River history and the people who surrounded our lives. Leo would always ask me how my sister Mona was doing. I didn't even know he knew her. Everything he inquired about was genuine and caring. He will be greatly missed by me and our regular "in town" group. My condolences go out to Elaine who also was so very special to our reunion planning and social gatherings.

Dave Williams:   I remember Leo on his Triumph when we were in high school. Man was he cool. Made me want one too. I finally got a bike but it was years later. We talked bikes at the reunions. Leo and I were in the National Guard together and were activated for the Berlin Crisis. We talked about our adventures there also. He and I always had a special bond. I am so sorry he has passed. My prayers for him and Elaine are offered.

Anne Silverman:  Our wonderful friend we will truly miss. A one of a kind friend whom Harry and I visited when in Pearl River always remembering old times. Our prayers go out to Elaine and family.

Irene Syson:  prayers for his family---so sad