In Memory: Leon D. Starr, Age 106
Leon D. Starr, of Rye, NY, passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 106. He lived a long, healthy, and successful life.
Lee was born in Boston June 10, 1918 to loving parents Eva and Myer Starr, Jewish emigres who had fled religious persecution in Russia. A keen intellect, he won a scholarship to Boston Latin School and graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1940. He married his sweetheart Adele Landau in 1942, and they were married 64 years until her death in 2006. He later was married to Jacqueline Bellsey for 10 happy years until her death in 2018.
The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Starr enlisted in the US Navy, went through “90-day wonder” training, and served for four years on a destroyer escort as a communications officer, reaching the rank of lieutenant. While serving in the Atlantic, his ship assisted in sinking a U-boat, rescued more than 600 sailors from a sinking aircraft carrier, and helped in rescue operations of a burning oil tanker.
After discharge from the Navy, Starr joined Allied Stores, where he worked for over 4 decades, becoming a top executive in their PA, TX, and NYC locations. Ever a supporter of social justice causes, he helped lead the way in ensuring the smooth racial integration of businesses in Dallas in 1963. Starr was president of Dallas Symphony Orchestra and served on numerous charitable and civic boards throughout his life. After he retired, he was a much sought after retail consultant working well into his 90s.
In 1967, Starr moved from Dallas to Mamaroneck, NY. He joined Beach Point Club, becoming one of its longest-term members and served as Commodore. He was a great sailor and enjoyed sailing for many decades on Long Island Sound with family and friends. Lee wholeheartedly embraced a healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition and exercise. He was a fantastic tennis player and enjoyed playing tennis, often weekly, until he was 97 years old.
Starr was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, collecting art, attending lectures and exhibits, as well as plays and musicals. He had a phenomenal memory for the lyrics of The Great American Songbook, being able to recite lyrics to almost any song well into his 10th decade.
A true lifelong learner, Starr was very involved as an alumnus of both The Boston Latin School and Harvard University, taking great pride in both institutions. He spoke at and regularly attended alumni and university events, including at age 100, when at the Harvard-Yale football game he was interviewed on the field and broadcast on the jumbotron. Starr was an avid reader, belonging to several book clubs and discussion groups right up until his passing, and he truly enjoyed his morning paper!
Starr was a wonderfully loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, and source of unconditional love and support to many.
Starr is survived by: son Jonathan and his wife Angel Davis, of Framingham, MA; son Frederick and his wife Kelly Starr of Roswell, GA; and granddaughter Hazel Kiefer, her husband Adam Kaszynski, and their sons Clay and Eden, of Lynn MA. He is also survived by several close nieces and nephews, including: David Starr, of Brookline, MA; Jennifer Brochin, of Israel; Joan Blackman of Newton, MA; and Annie Kirshner of Chicago, IL.
A memorial luncheon for Lee D. Starr will be held at Beach Point Yacht Club in Mamaroneck on March 23, 2025 from 12-3pm. It will also be streamed on Zoom. For more information about the life celebration, contact 914-450-3906.
