Obituary of William F. Lent

It is with much sadness that we want to share that, William F. Lent passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018. He was 95 years old and a month out from celebrating a 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Grace. They had lived on Long Island for 63 years. After losing their home in Hurricane Sandy, they moved to Connecticut to live with son Ed and son in law, Scott.

Bill met Grace at Grumman, an infamous aircraft manufacturing company in Baldwin, Long Island,N.Y. At hardly 20 years old, as was common in the 1940’s during war time, he joined the Navy and served on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Grace, his then future wife, served in the “Lady” Marines in Pendleton, CA. They kept in touch by mail, which at that time often took months.

Returning home to Long Island after the war, they soon married and settled down in Wantagh, N.Y. Bill became a police officer and detective at the 6th Precinct in Seaford, NY., later after their sons were raised, Grace, an R.N. working in the O.R. at Mercy Hospital in Rockville center. They lived in Wantagh for 63 years and were married for 69 years. They have two sons, William Lent and Edward Lent, daughter-in-law Theresa, son-in-law Scott, three granddaughters, Nicole,-(husband Phillip), Jacklyn (husband Wendell), Jamie Lee as well as 2 great grandchildren, Melania and Maddox.

Retiring after 30 plus years and being retired for even more, Bill was an avid gardener and loved growing his own vegetables and flowers. Friends, neighbors and often local papers, would be amazed at the selection and production of what came out of this “back yard” garden. He had a knack for telling stories about his growing up, life and career experiences and a unique sense of humor, usually tied in somehow with his overall wisdom about life. He was a kind and thoughtful person, often making strangers, friends, instantaneously from his insight and commonalities brought out through simple conversation.

He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and all our love and will be always in our hearts. A memorial will be planned in April. For information, please contact: edwardlent@icloud.com

In lieu of flowers, please, donations in check form can be made out and sent to: Wantagh American Legion, Post 1273 3484 Park Avenue Wantagh, NY 11793 Memo: IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM F. LENT