Robert Lesser

Robert “BOB” Lesser

Born Yirachmeal Lazofski to Josef and Chaya Gittel Halpern Lazofski in Belitza, Poland (Belarus) passed away with his loving family by his side on Monday, April 28th, 2025. Bob, a Holocaust Survivor, escaped death many times over while enduring the brutal attacks of the Nazis. They murdered his beloved grandfather, Yisrael Halpern, his mother Chaya Gittel Halpern Lazofski, brothers Abraham, Aaron and sister Rachala. Bob left Bremen, Germany and arrived in Brooklyn, NY on the SS Marine Tiger Warship, on November 20th, 1947 (The day Queen Elizabeth got married). He had been sponsored by his family living in NY. Bob quickly became Americanized, went to school and made many friends. He always had jobs and not wanting any handouts, quickly earned the money to pay his Uncle Sol back the fee for passage for bringing him to this country. Bob married and moved to Hartford in 1955. In 1957 Bob opened Robert Lesser Plumbing & Heating and worked very hard for over 63 years. Always outgoing, friendly, generous and wanting to help others, Bob served in many clubs and organizations. He was President of the Capital City Kiwanis Club of Hartford, President of the Hartford Plumbing & Heating Association, President of the Patera Mutual Benefit Association and Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1980 he worked with the former CT Governor, Ella Grasso, on educational advancements for both technical schools & community colleges. With the help of noted Black historian Dr. John Rogers, a professor at University of Hartford, Bob established a Black history library which exists at the University today. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of over 69 years, Margaret Bramson Lesser, loving children Cindy & Joe Cohen, Deborah Linder, Matthew Lazowski, adored grandchildren Dr. Jason & Jackie Lesser, Johnathan Cohen, Jared & Hannah Linder, Ronen & Benjamin Lazowski, his cherished brother Rabbi Philip & sister-in-law Ruth Lazowski, nephews Alan, Barry & David Lazowski and their families, treasured cousins Harold & Barbara Kaplan, Jordan Kaplan and Lucille Kaplan Miller, cousins in Israel and his NUMEROUS friends. He was the proudest Zayde and talked with his grandchildren every day. Bob’s legacies include his boundless generosity, life stories, love, friendship, endless smile, huge bear hugs and kisses. Family and especially his grandchildren meant the world to him. Bob’s family would like to thank LG Infinite Care, especially Lorraine, Tanisha, LaToya and Nadia for the love and care they provided him with. The family would also like to thank the loving staff at the McAuley. Bob’s funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at Weinstein Mortuary - 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. Internment immediately following at the Beth Hillel Cemetery - 80 Wolcott Rd East Granby, CT. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Bob’s memory be made to JPEF-Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation: 2266 California St. San Francisco, CA 94115 - Outreach@JewishPartisans.org - (415) 563-2244; Voices of Hope 20 Waterside Dr. Suite 100. Farmington, CT 06032 - (860) 470-5591 - info@ctvoicesofhope.org; or, Zachor Holocaust Remembrance Foundation Las Vegas, NV - info@zachorfoundation.org - (800) 575-9583.