Joseph James Lesko - Obituary

. James Lesko (Jim), age 88, of Venice, FL passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2018 with his daughter, Lisa K. Burnett of Deale, Maryland at his side. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for distinguished service. Jim was retired from the hotel business and was a member of the HAWDC (Hotel Association of Washington DC) for over 18 years and had moved from Crofton, MD to Venice, FL with his wife, the late Nancy Stegman Lesko. He is survived by another daughter, Lauren L. Paytes and her partner, Rick Bays of Smithville, TN; son-in-law Richard Burnett; two grandchildren, Jimmy Burnett and Brooke Burnett; and several nieces. Jim enjoyed politics, the stock market and chatting with neighbors and friends. He loved betting on the simulcast horse races at the Sarasota Kennel Club. He was a member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Manatee County Chapter. Arrangements have been entrusted to Farley Funeral Home, Venice, FL and Kalas Funeral Home, Edgewater, MD. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 9:00am until his funeral service begins at 10am, at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. Interment will follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation at christopherreeve.org/donate. Online tributes and condolences can be made by using the link on this page.