Francis Leslie 'Les' Mollach

Francis Leslie “Les” Mollach, 76, of Syracuse, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009 at home. Born in Newark, New Jersey on Friday, November 3, 1933, he was the son of Francis Leslie Mollach and Gevevra Antoinette Lechtrecher Mollach. He lived in the Syracuse area for more than 50 years. An Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, Les was stationed in Landsberg, Germany, having been trained in Syracuse at the Russian Language School. A graduate of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and Syracuse University, he taught American Literature, English and American poetry and writing at Onondaga County Community College for more than 30 years, retiring in 1995. Les was an avid sailor and golfer. A lover of music, he also enjoyed building instruments. He was a bird carver, painter and boat builder. Les was predeceased by his sister, Carol Cowder; and son-in-law, Douglas T. Lundquist. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Kathryn Smith Mollach of Syracuse and Cooperstown; daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer M. and Steven Rice, Patricia E. Mollach and Martha M and Kendal Stackhouse; sister, Doris Peck; grandchildren, August Lundquist Rice and Julia and Matthew Stackhouse; brothers-in-law, Cecil Cowder and George (Lona) Smith; aunt, Edna Corrigan; nieces, Jean C. Mollack and Leslie Brown and nephews, Gregory and Jeffrey Browne. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 1 at University United Methodist Church, 1085 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home, Camillus. Burial will be in Roseboom Cemetery, Roseboom, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.