Robert 'Ted' Lesko

He was born on February 7, 1934, in Girard, PA, a son of the late John J. & Anna M. (Groff) Lesko. He graduated from Rice Ave. Union High School in 1951.

In high school, he played football and basketball, earning all-county honors in both sports. Baseball was not available in High School but during that time he played Jr. legion for Post 494 Girard and the same post in the Erie County League (later merged with the glenwood league) from 1947 in jr legion he was chosen to play in the local All-Star game as well as the East-West game at Forbes field in Pittsburgh and state all-star game in St. Mary’s, PA. Upon graduation in 1947, he received offers for professional baseball contracts from five major league teams. He signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox at the age of 17. He played two minor league seasons with the White Sox and one with the New York Giants. He then volunteered for the draft into the U.S. Army. He played regimental basketball and baseball during basic training. After basic training, he was deployed to Germany, during German occupation and Korean War. He served in the First Infantry Division and the 7th Corps Special Troops. Both units in the Signal Corps. He got a chance to play football and baseball. Playing baseball, he was chosen MVP for the 7th Corps Troop, Jayhawks. Upon discharge he returned home and attended and graduated from The Erie Commercial College and later from Gannon University. Both majoring in Accounting and Finance. He worked for several corporations in accounting management such as Fenestra as Asst. Controller, Meynell Mfg as Corporate Controller. Then was elected President which he served for about five years until this company was sold, Erie City Iron Works, Asst. Controller, Techno Corp., Treasurer, Knobloch Oldsmobile Company, Controller and Earl E. Knox Corp., Corp. Controller and CFO until his retirement after 24 year of service.

After he quit playing for many years in the Glenwood League, he played fast pitch softball for another 10 years. He was inducted into the PA sports Hall of Fame – Erie Chapter in 2001.

He said his greatest pride and joy came from meeting and marrying his beautiful wife, Virginia “Ginny”, and them having their son, Ted, whom they adored and him finding the love of his life in Melissa and them having two wonderful children – Rachel and Eric (whom he adored) who could ask for more!

Some of the organizations he supported as a life member were VFW Post 435 Millcreek, Past Post Commander – VFW Post 479 Erie, American Legion Post 773 Millcreek Erie Maennachor club, Institute of Management Accountants, Association of Professional Baseball players of America, Times Old Newsies, Saints and Sinners Club, Glenwood League old timers baseball breakfast group and a member of St. Julias Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Virgina A. (Olszewski) Lesko; a sister, Janet Lesko Hoehn (Fred); three brothers, John R. Lesko (Dorothy), James S. Lesko (Janice) and Maj. Kenneth A. Lesko (Ret) (Kum Ye)

Survivors include a son, Ted J. Lesko (Melissa); grandchildren, Rachel and Eric Lesko all of Fairview; brother, Jerry Lesko (June) of Girard; a sister, Joyce Lesko (Lawrence) of Albion and Numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews and many close friends from sports, business and leisure especially from the Colony Pub, Erie Maennerchor Club, Pittsburgh Inn, the Sports Page and Eduard’s. A special thank you to the VA nurses who took care of him.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc, West Ridge 3801 W. 26th Street on Friday, October 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and are invited to a funeral Mass on Saturday at St. Julia Church 638 Roslyn Ave, Erie PA 16505 at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Springfield VFW Station 64 11959 Main Street, East Springfield, PA 16411.