Obituary of Leland K. Rowse

January 21, 2016 Leland “Lee” K. Rowse 91 of Syracuse was born in Dunham, Quebec on November 27, 1924 was Raised in Chenango County, NY; attended Greene High School. Leland was a member of the VFW and Moose Club. Leland was a decorated Army veteran of WWII. He served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne division and parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy on the eve of D-Day and was part of the besieged forces in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and participated in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands to capture and hold bridges of the Meuse and Rhine rivers. Leland continued to serve in combat into Germany until its defeat.He retired in 1986 from City of Syracuse Property Management. Leland was predeceased by his parents and 5 siblings and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia P. (Urbanik) Rowse; daughters, Linda (Mark) Burdick of Manlius and Sandra (Pat) Miele of Troy; grandchildren, Jared Burdick of Fayetteville, Laurel (Pat) Leone of Minoa, Joseph Miele and Daniel (Angela) Miele of Troy, Kari (Mike) Smith of Highland Mills; great-grandchildren, Jack and Hannah Leone, Benjamin Miele, Robert, Caleb and Keegan Smith. Lee enjoyed golf, bowling, making model airplanes and puttering in his workshop and yard. He loved animals, especially the family dogs & cats. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Syracuse VA, especially the CLC team and Father David James, for their dedication and caring, Memorial contributions can be made to CNY SPCA 5878 East Molloy Road Syracuse, 13211. At Lee’s request, a private family service was held followed by burial with military honors at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.