It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Seymour ‘Sy’ Ledermen, on Sunday, April 18th, 2021. He was 91 years old. His parents Hyman and Mae, brother Walter, and daughter Jayne predeceased him, as well as his beloved wife Mildred.

Sy was survived by his loving brother Paul and wife Eileen, son, Vance, cousin Herb Spinner, his nephews Michael Mainieri Jr. and wife Dee, Martin Mainieri and wife Julia, Niece, Karen Mainieri and wife Dorothy, grand nieces, Michelle, Maria, Melissa, Susan, Ruby and, grand nephews, Michael 3rd, Vincent, David and his beloved guide dog, Jono.

Sy, born in Brooklyn, NY, is a veteran of World War II and joined the army at the age of 15. He was a gunner in the 14th Tank Division, an arm of the larger 9th Armored Division nicknamed the (Phantom Division). The 9th Division was cited for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in combat, which included the Campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and, Operation Market Garden. The 14th tank division saw its severest action at St. Vith, Echternach, Bastone and, the Battle of the Bulge which proved instrumental in holding off a fierce German force at Remagen allowing the Allies to cross the Ludendorff Bridge into German territory. This action led to the freedom of thousands of Allied prisoners in Stalag 12A and as part of the 101st Airborne Division, the eventual liberation of several concentration camps in Germany and Czechoslovakia.

Sy earned numerous Decorations and Citations for his valor in action including the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Medal, the Belgium ‘Croex De Guerre’, and the Meritorious and Presidential Unit Citations. He was injured in his left hand from a grenade and also from the explosion of a German mine which killed everyone in his tank. Seymour was the soul survivor.

He remained in service after the war in Berlin and returned to the United States in 1948. Suffering from poor eyesight since he was a child his condition worsened after his return and was eventually declared legally blind. This handicap did not hinder his ‘Joie de vivre’ and sense of humor. He eventually needed the use of a guide dog and was a charter member of the Second Sight Foundation in Smithtown, NY, and also the Guide dog Foundation. Seymour also gave lectures and interviews at numerous schools about his experiences in WWll.

He and his wife Mildred, who was also blind, were a well-known couple in Smithtown. They enjoyed daily walks with their two guide dogs and courageously ventured on vacations, enjoyed ballroom dancing, the theatre and, attended jazz concerts in Manhattan. He also, did a tremendous amount of volunteer work with many Veteran and Blind Organizations.

Not to be forgotten was Seymour’s passion for bowling. In 1967, at age 37, he became the National Blind Bowling Champion. This accomplishment appeared in an article in the NY Daily News and he was subsequently interviewed by Harry Reasoner on the CBS TV show, 60 minutes.

He will be sorely missed by family and his very close loyal friends, Linda, Joan, Tracy, Lynne, Laurel, Arlene, Pat W., Pat, Anthony, Nick, Augie and many more.