Gary Lester Obituary

Thinking of you and your amazing family today and always! What an inspiration you continue to be, as your family inspires as well.

Gary,

Has it really been ten years? Nearly once a week at school I find myself stopping and wondering, "what would Gary do?" I hope we'll meet again one day, and I hope that you will be able to be pleased with my efforts over the years.

Gary was an inspiring administrator; always caring, always working, always professional. His principal's office was directly under my classroom, where I had a small washer & dryer for our lab. I remember the time I ran a load of towels with the ejector hose out of place, and the soap water rained down on him. He was really good about it when he could have been angry!

Gary surely touched more people than we will ever know. He made TW a better place for all of us. So sorry to lose him so soon. When he couldn't attend a Sox game at the last minute, he'd give me a call to see if I could use the tickets. He knew we were great sox fans. I know he's cheering for his team from above. Love to all the family

Mr. Lester you were an excellent role model and a great leader. I am sorry to hear that you have passed, but your legacy will live on. I will keep the Lester family in my prayers Thank You. Jeremiah Sargent TWHS 2005"

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I was a team mate of Gary's on that state football championship team. Will keep Gary and family in my prayers.

To a great coach, a hilarious homeroom teacher, and inspirational social studies teacher. You touched so many lives, and I know that I'm a better person because of you!! Rest in Peace Coach Lester....

Camille Willis - TWHS class of 1985

Gary was a wonderful friend and support during my high school years. I am sure he is bringing joy in heaven too!!

Mr. Lester was a great teacher that touched my life, I was glad I was able to share this with him and how important he was in my life.
Lynne (McGill) Stasiak - TWHS 1985

He had such a welcoming soul, non-judgmental, loving, accepting, forgiving and comforting, this is what I know of Gary Lester as a coach, friend and teacher, imagine what impact he had on others…Thank God for giving him to us! My prayers go out to his family...
Marj (Atelevich) Fremouw...class of 83

Coach Lester meant so much to so many of the students at Thornwood, he was a teacher and a friend. He will be dearly missed.

Lisa Lesniak class of 1988

Gary, we had some great moments together on the football field. You were our QB on one of the best high school football teams ever. You handed me the ball many times, and handed me some great memories. Keep throwing passes in heaven, and I will fake a handoff....

Your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Gary taught me to look at a sunrise in a different way. to just value that you are still on this earth for one more day. That you CAN handle what ever comes in the course of the day. When the sun goes down its time to rest. No need to worry about tomorrow, do that when you see the sunrise again. Thank you Shelly for sharing Gary with all of us. I know that he has left his mark on my life in the short time we talked.
Love from Australia --Cricket and Phil

My heart goes out to Shelly, the kids, and the rest of Gary's family. I am proud to count myself among the very lucky to have been on staff with Gary during his time at Thornwood. His imprint on my life will be felt for years to come.

My deepest condolences to the Lester family. Gary was a great leader who has forever impacted my teaching career. He will be greatly missed!

He was a wonderful teacher, coach, mentor and friend to many. I am so blessed that I got to spend my 4 years of high school with him as my teacher and coach. He will always be Coach Lester to me. Thank you coach for all of the life lessons that you taught me! (Class of 1983)

A teacher and a mentor who has inspired and influenced so many. He will be missed. I am so thankful to have had a wonderful homeroom teacher. Thank you Coach Lester for being a great guy!
(Class of '85)

My deepest sympathies go out to all of Gary's family and friends. What a loss, and what a great man Gary was! I just communicated with him a few weeks ago, and he told me he was thinking about what other things he could do, now that his children were all in school. I am sure he is already finding a way to inspire or assist others, where he is now! How fortunate we all have been to know and love Gary! Sending prayers.

Mr. Lester was such a wonderful man and teacher. I never had him as a classroom teacher but learned so much from him through his actions and from him personally. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.

Gary did more in and with his life than anyone I ever knew...He had the gift of inspiring those lives he touched to go beyond limitations and realize their dreams...He will forever be courage!
Deepest sympathy..

I am grateful to have known Gary as a dean and Assistant Principal at Thornwood High School. Professionally, he remains to this day my ideal of a school administrator; professional, compassionate, patient, and absolutely dedicated to both his students and staff - but with students ultimately first. Outside of his job, he was a gentle and devoted husband and father, and his love for Shelly and his children was very evident. I admired him as a leader and as a person. I feel a great sense of loss, mingled with gratitude to have been able to know Gary in this life. Love and blessings and comfort to Shelly and the rest of the family...Gary will be missed terribly by many, but I cannot imagine your sense of loss at this time.

Gary touched so many in his lifetime. He will be missed, but he truly left his mark on this Earth.

What a wonderful legacy he left. Prayers for you and your family during this hard time. Bless you and yours.

Coach Lester touched the lives of so many people throughout his career in education. I was fortunate enough to have him as a teacher, coach, friend and mentor. He impacted my life in ways I could have never imagined and I am such a better person for having met him.

Patty B. (TWHS 1986)