William Martin Lenck - Obituary

illiam Martin Lenck 1932-2021 of Temple Hills MD died peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. He was 88 years old and had suffered a slow deterioration of health after a fall in March of 2020. He was deeply beloved and is survived by his children Laura Galbreath and husband Michael, William R. Lenck and wife Marcia, and Catherine Canniff and husband Edward; his grandchildren Ashley Solan and husband Joel, Timothy Canniff and wife Alexandria, Brian and Daniel Canniff, Hannah and Rachel Galbreath; and his great-grandchildren Skylar and Kora Solan. He was predeceased by his wife Anna Marie and dear daughter Marie Helena Anderson. Bill was born in Aland, Finland and came to America with his parents at age three. His father was an engineer and builder, and built homes for the family in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Bill met and later married his neighbor Anna Marie Mistretta, whose family had emigrated from Italy. After their marriage, they built their home between those of both sets of parents on family land. Together, the three homes were the site of many joyous events and traditions over the years. Their children all enjoyed growing up surrounded by the love of their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Bill continued to manage all of the land until his passing. After graduating from the University of Maryland Law School, Bill served in the army and was a special agent for the FBI. In 1962 he became an Attorney Advisor to the Drug Enforcement Administration and began his very successful career in the Department of Justice. Bill rose to be the Chief Counsel of the DEA and continued consulting with the DEA into his retirement. His legal writings and briefs included the Drug Agents’ Guide to Forfeiture and the State Model Drug Paraphernalia Act. He was a long-term member of the Federal Bar Association, the Supreme Court Bar and the Maryland Bar. Most importantly, he remained best of friends with his law school and DEA colleagues. His professional accomplishments are impressive, but he found his greatest joy in retirement. He was an avid sailor, earned his captain’s license and sailed from Florida to Maryland. He savored pink sunsets, and loved crabbing, fishing, playing cards, tennis, riding motorcycles, repairing vehicles, watching football, westerns and reading the newspaper daily. He and Anna Marie spent their time between Maryland and Sarasota, Florida, staying close to life-long friends for many years until Anna Marie passed. Bill remained very active in his community, particularly with the Oxon Hill Recreation Club. He worked at a local engine shop and continued to teach at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. His most important “job” was daycare provider to his grandchildren. He cherished his grandchildren in Maryland and cared for them daily. He often drove eight hours to Massachusetts to visit with his grandsons and teach them to play tennis, cards and pool. He also helped his children and wife through the most difficult times in their lives battling cancer. He was always there for his children, grandchildren and his beautiful young great grandchildren. Bill was very generous with his family and friends; he was always there to listen, lend a hand, a car, a truck, a few dollars, whatever was needed. Bill’s 88 years were very active and filled with love and family. He will be dearly missed. A gathering for family and friends will be held on Friday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. in Oxon Hill, MD, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. There will be a private burial at Charles Memorial Gardens in Leonardtown, MD where he will rest alongside his wife, Anna Marie, and daughter, Marie. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s name to Saint Columba School, 7800 Livingston Rd in Oxon Hill, MD 20745.