Obituary of Leonard Anson Dunn

Leonard Dunn, 87, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully, May 23, 2008. He was born in Peru, IN on April 13, 1921, the son of the late Everett and Martha (Downs) Dunn. After spending 2 years in a Catholic monastery studying for the priesthood he moved to South Bend, IN where he worked as a window dresser at Robertson’s Department Store. In 1956 he moved to New York City. He and a friend ran a small men’s shop in Greenwich Village and, on the side, he tutored students in Latin, Greek, French and German. Later he joined the staff of Gimbel’s department store where he worked until his retirement. On many summers he traveled to Europe visiting France or Greece absorbing the culture and life of these countries. His true love, however, was the theater. He began working in theater in South Bend and was very active in summer theater productions in NYC. He toured with several theater companies in productions such as “Camelot”, “Showboat”, “Music Man”, and “Unsinkable Molly Brown”. After retirement he moved to Syracuse to be closer to family. He maintained his interest and activity in theater working with costumes, lighting, props and other elements off stage for Salt City Playhouse and the Talent Company. He received a Community Involvement Award from the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce for his work with local theater groups and his contributions to McCarthy Manor. He was predeceased by his sisters Selma Naomi (Dunn) Werner and Wilma Jean (Dunn) McKee. He is survived by one sister Marcia Kay Dunn, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; two nieces Anita (Werner) O’Toole of Kent, Ohio and Linda (McKee) Foust, Culver, IN; and two nephews; Robert Werner of Skaneateles, NY and Michael Werner of Mishawaka, IN; as well as many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Grace Episcopal Church, 819 Madison St., Syr. at 7 pm, June 17 2008. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 356 N. Midler Av., Syr, NY 13206