In Memory of Richard Martus Lennon

Obituary

Richard Martus Lennon

October 19th, 1933- March 31st, 2026

Born in Utica, New York, on October 19, 1933, Rit was the son of Harold T. Lennon Sr. and Mary Alice Martus Lennon. He was educated at Whitesboro High School and went on to graduate from St. Lawrence University in 1955. Following his graduation, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police and honorably served his country in Korea and later in Germany with VII Corps in 1961. Major Lennon continued his dedicated military service until his honorable discharge from active duty in December 1969.

Rit, as he preferred to be called, worked in the family jewelry business founded by his father in 1945 at 4 Lafayette Street in Utica, New York. He later carried on this legacy alongside his brother, Harold Lennon Jr., helping to grow and build the family’s tradition of fine jewelry until his retirement in 2013. He enjoyed music, barbershop quartet, tenor sax, had his own band” Rit Lennon & The Heaven Seven”, track, football, skiing, tennis, golf & was an avid pickleball player. He loved dancing, hiking, flying (private pilot, had his own airplane), making wine, watercolor painting and being the “First Mate” on Brodock’s yachts.

He was an active and dedicated member of his community, serving on the Mayor’s Advisory Board Committee of Downtown Utica and the Legislative Committee of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. He was a past president of the St. Lawrence Club and a member of the SLU Alumni Council, a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Committeeman for the 4th District of Whitestown in the 115th Assembly District. He was also involved with St. Elizabeth’s Heart Institute, served as past president of the SEMC Foundation, and was a proud Rotarian.

He survived by Margaret “Peg” Bannigan Lennon, his sons Michael Lennon and Stephen Lennon & his wife Theresa Kalil-Lennon, Nancy Prevost and her children, sister Judy Cashman & family, grandchildren Rikson, Fianna, Reed & Briar along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Deborah Bathrick & Harold Lennon Jr.

Rit will be remembered for his impact on many lives through his unconditional desire to help others succeed, his joy of family, friends and passion for living a life along with a sense of humor and stories.

He passed away peacefully with his family by his side, including his beloved grandchildren, Rikson and Fianna. The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Sitrin Home LTC Unit (Hickory Building) for their wonderful and compassionate care during Rit’s short stay.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00 am at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  The family will receive everyone following the Mass. Arrangements are with Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Harold T Lennon Sr. & Mary Alice Lennon Scholarship Fund, Utica University.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.