M. Leonard Leshem, avid sports enthusiast

M. Leonard "Len" Leshem, 86, of Lewes, passed away Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes with his wife, Susan, by his side. A native Delawarean, Len was born Jan. 25, 1937, in Wilmington, son of the late Philip and Dorothy (Kravitz) Leshem.

Len attended Harlan Elementary School and was a proud Dynamiter, graduating from PS duPont High School Class of 1954. He furthered his education by attending Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington. He proudly served his country as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard.

Len was an avid sports enthusiast. His love of sports was nurtured by his father, who from an early age would take him to sporting events in Philadelphia. He was a true fan and a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia, often entertaining his nieces and nephews with his amazing recall. When he wasn’t wearing an Ironman cap, it was a Washington Redskins or LA Dodgers baseball cap.

In his early 50s, Len challenged himself to begin living a healthier and more purposeful life. He began to be interested in nutrition, went to the gym, and started running. In less than two years, Len completed his first Ironman triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. He went on to complete a total of eight Ironman events all over this country, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

Easing into retirement in the mid-1980s, Len became involved in Delaware Special Olympics, and it was a perfect fit. At one event, a young boy whom he had never met before jumped into his arms smiling ear to ear.  That one moment led to Len embracing the organization for the rest of his life.

For more than four decades, Len coached several sports locally and was on the coaching staff for Team Delaware for three World Games. He went out of his way to ensure his athletes received recognition in any way possible. Len also volunteered whenever and wherever needed at competitions and fundraising events. His contacts in the beach area opened doors for the Special Olympics, most notably in support of the Polar Bear Plunge and Champions Together events.

As if volunteering countless hours year-round wasn’t enough, Len used his appetite for completing long-distance fitness quests to raise a quarter-million dollars over the years through donations from friends. Whether it was running, swimming, biking, or kayaking, he always said it was the athletes of Special Olympics who inspired him to reach his training goals. Every morning he could be found running his special bikes program at the YMCA. His last fundraising effort was biking the distance to Florida and back on a stationary bike to raise money for Team Delaware, attending the USA Games in Orlando.

Len’s unparalleled accomplishments with Special Olympics for nearly half a century have touched thousands with grace, dignity, and encouragement, thus enabling them to reach their full potential. Len received the organization’s highest honor when he was enshrined into the Special Olympics Delaware Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2006, in light of his sports accomplishments and work with Special Olympics, he was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. 

Len was a quiet man, but his good deeds spoke volumes. He was comfortable in his own skin, grateful for what life had given him. He was a faithful friend and loving husband. Len enjoyed life’s simple joys, a kayak trip around the bay, a good plate of pasta, and in days gone by, a trip to the beach with his black labs, Kona and Angus.

The Sussex Family YMCA was Len’s second home, and he could be found there daily, riding one of his bike programs.

Len is survived by his wife, Susan Thaler-Leshem; his sister, Carol Leshem of Wilmington; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and -nephews acquired through marriage, all of whom loved him to pieces.

Services will be private. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins, Lodge-Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Len's memory to Special Olympics Delaware, support.specialolympics.org.

Visit Len’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.