I still can not begin to accept the truth that Lenny is gone.
I cant figure out exactly how long its been, but my guess is we have been friends for at least 20 years. He sold me my first 10 speed back at Hillside Cyclery, and after being that kid shop rat that was always there and rarely buying, but always talking about riding, he invited me out to ride with him and the guys. They dragged me around all of the training rides, and sometimes they literally had to drag me home, as a 12 year old, i had a hard time keeping up on 4 hour rides. He got me into racing and was always willing to pick me up at 11:30 at night when he got off work at UPS, and drove me to the races the guys did in the big Buick Rivera. Later he helped me get a job at the bike shop, and there were plenty of days of laughter and pranks to be had. I vividly remember the saturday i got my drivers license i went into work a little late after getting my license, and he asked to see it. After some bad photo comments he grabbed a stapler and put about a dozen staples in it. Back then when you got a ticket, the cops stapled your license to the ticket. So with it still warm from the laminator, i had swiss cheese for a license.
Another favorite was the time we went to do laps of Timberline, and we stopped at the white hen, Lenny bought two cans of silly string and completely coated Scott and i as we were going over the I&M canal. Very funny stuff.
Lenny was like a big brother to me, and i truly enjoyed all the hours and talk we shared both on and off the bike.
I can say for certain that i do not know what life will be like without Lenny, and i know i am privileged to have been one of his friends as he was always the guy with a uplifting joke and a smile to get us all through life.
I will miss you dearly my brother
Rest in Peace
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