Lester P. Condon

Lester P. Condon, 95, passed into eternal peace on July 5, at his home in Lewisberry.

He was born June 28, 1930, the fourth of eight children of James and Geraldine (Luzier) Condon of Clearfield. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by son Jeffery Condon; his sisters Mary Williams, Vema Palmer, Bernice Rushinski; brothers Cecil Condon and Carl Condon; and many in-laws.

He is survived by his loving wife Jean (Rowland) Condon; sons Gregory (Becky) Condon, Dane (Melinda) Condon, Alan (Patti) Condon, Kirk (Anne) Condon and Kent Condon. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, as well as his sister Verlee Turner, brother Dennis Condon, daughter-in-law Lori Condon, and many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Lester.

Growing up in rural Clearfield County's woods and farmlands, Les relished life's simple pleasures. Favorite memories included singing old-time hymns in the living room with his large family, listening to crickets serenading the late summer nights and jumping into creeks. From those humble roots, he discovered the value of hard work, ingenuity, and determination. After high school - where he learned the trade of welding - he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. During his two years stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he served as a prison guard, regularly traveling back to Pennsylvania to visit his sweetheart, Jean.

After being honorably discharged and returning to Pennsylvania, Les graduated from the-then Williamsport Tech, trained in tv and electronics. Through his job with IBM, he worked on the Pennsylvania Turnpike specializing in time clocks. When Simplex bought IBM's time division, Les started as a service man, moved to service manager and eventually to sales. In 1976, he was appointed as branch manager of the Long Island, New York, office. Ten years later, he was promoted to branch manager of Simplex's largest division in Chicago. He was a respected and committed leader who was appreciated and valued by his colleagues when he retired in 1995.

For Les there was nothing more important than his family, especially his treasured wife Jean. There is no life story of Les without the enduring love story of he and Jean. For nearly 73 years of marriage, they shared life's ups and downs, gains and losses, laughter and tears. Together they raised six boys in what was a daily adventure of scraped knees, broken bones, crashed cars, hard-fought games, risky swimming and controlled chaos.

Working his fulltime job, Les made time to build the family's first home himself. A small ranch house outside of New Cumberland, it became a neighborhood beacon of boyhood antics, busting at the corners with constant activity. Les also served as a Boy Scout leader and a Little League coach. As their sons grew into teenagers, he and Jean could be found in the stands cheering on their various athletic endeavors. The Condon name became synonymous with wrestling victories at Red Land High School in the 1970s, partly because Les challenged them to matches on the living room floor to hone their skills.

His grandkids have wonderful memories of a fun Granddad who would jump in the pool with them, roll a mean bocci ball and throw an ace cornhole bag. All after having finely mowed the yard to the optimum grass height for bocci and croquet balls! Following retirement, Les and Jean returned to Pennsylvania. He became a longtime member of Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church, where he and Jean annually helped to make delicious Easter eggs. A "golden one" was skillfully hidden each year for a grandchild to find, garnering not only the sweet treat but a $20 bill!

When not enjoying breakfast at the diner after church, regularly going out to eat dinner with close friends and doing crossword puzzles, Les spent his well-deserved retirement years planting and tending to his yard and flowers, maintaining the backyard pool, bowling with friends and "trying" to golf. He and Jean traveled to Ireland to explore their family roots. They were always up for a trip to the beach or back to Long Island or Chicago where they were fondly embraced by former neighbors and friends. With a sharp, mechanical mind, Les could be found tinkering with a tool, a mower or something else that was never the same after he disabled a safety feature!

To know Les was to love him. He was quick witted, inquisitive, knowledgeable, and kind. He continuously expressed his love for others through warm kisses and a bright smile of recognition that will be sorely missed. Coffee was his preferred drink - at every meal - although a root beer was happily accepted. Apple pie and chocolate cake were his favorite desserts. He told great stories from a long life, well-lived. Les easily forgave and looked for the best in others. His family, both near and far, immediate and extended, were paramount to him.

As per his wishes, a private interment will be held at the convenience of the family with a celebration of life service to follow at his church, Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church, 402 Valley Road, Etters, on a day and time still to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Les with a donation to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110, who helped the family navigate Les's last days; or consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, one of Les's favorite charities; or his church, Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church, 402 Valley Road, Etters, PA 17319.