US Army veteran
MELROSE — Leonard “Lenny” J. Prestia passed away peacefully on August 13 at the age of 88 after a short illness. Lenny was born and raised in Medford. He attended Medford High School, joined the US Army in 1955 and served much of his service in Germany. He married his wife Loretta and spent 62 wonderful years with the love of his life. Lenny lived and raised his family in Melrose.
Lenny was an amazing and talented architectural woodworker and cabinet maker. He worked for many years at Schwamm & Associates and Freeman-Carder Corporation before starting his own business called Pres-Tech, Inc. in Melrose. He also briefly taught adult woodworking at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School in Wakefield at night.
Lenny was an excellent cook and loved to cook for his family. He also loved to watch Red Sox and Patriot games with his wife Loretta. He did many small woodworking projects for his family and neighbors throughout the years.
Lenny was recently predeceased by his loving wife Loretta (Babcock) Prestia and was the devoted father to his children Robert Prestia of Melrose; Lawrence Prestia and his wife Lisa of Hudson, NH; Susan Cushman and her husband Greg of Salem, NH; and David Prestia of Melrose. He was the adoring grandfather of Maureen Tuck and her husband Randy of Manchester, NH and Corinne Prestia of New York City, NY. He was the loving brother of the late Salvatore Prestia of Malden; and is survived by his sister Catherine Valvo (wife of Salvatore) of Naples, FL and brother Charles Prestia (husband of Frances) of Venice, FL. He is also survived by many adored nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, August 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Procession from the Gately Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 20 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Interment was at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. In lieu of flowers, gifts were made in Leonard’s memory to DAV Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 1430, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or via online donation at dav.org/ways-to-give/donate-online-by-mail-or-by-phone. To sign online condolence, visit gatelyfh.com.
