Lester "Les" Ravitz (85)

After a long and full life, Lester Ravitz of Alexandria, Virginia passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Beloved husband of Susan Ravitz; father of Ruth Ravitz Smith (Michael) and Alan Ravitz (Karen); grandfather of Allegra and Ariana Ravitz; and brother of Freyda Ravitz. Les is preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Betty Ravitz, and sisters Marilyn Bulos and Gail Ravitz. He will truly be missed by many, including cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. Les was born and raised in Brooklyn alongside many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He lived the true American Dream. Les grew up working at his uncle’s deli and in the garment industry from an early age. He and Sue (as he called her) were married at 20 and 19 years of age. Les graduated from New York University, while at the same time serving in the U.S. Air National Guard and working full-time in the aerospace industry. The Ravitz family moved to Long Island before Ruth and Alan started school wanting to provide their children with a great education in the Three Village School District. Les later took the skills he learned in manufacturing to the financial services industry, relocating with Susan to Charlotte, NC and then to Richmond, VA. He retired as the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of First Clearing Corporation, a subsidiary of Wachovia Securities. Within days of their first granddaughter being born, Les and Susan moved to Alexandria, VA – retiring in Old Town, within a thirty-minute drive of Alan and Karen, and the granddaughters and two miles from Ruth and Michael. Happiest as the captain of the Ladybug, Les and Susan spent 53 years boating on the Long Island Sound, the Intercoastal Waterway in Wilmington, NC, (where they had a second home during the Charlotte years) and the Chesapeake Bay (both in Deltaville, VA and Solomons, MD). He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Les and Susan were members of the Power Squadron, the Stony Brook Yacht Club, and are currently members of the Solomons Island Yacht Club. Les loved animals and often had both a cat and dog living with him. His current cat Munchkin was proceeded by cats Kookie, Kracker, Kruller, and Kugel, and dogs Ruffy, Chip, and Ginger. A graveside service will be held at Agudas Achim Cemetery, 701 South Payne Street in Alexandria, VA on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Agudas Achim Religious School or the Animal Welfare League Alexandria.

Tributes

Lester "Les" Ravitz (85)

December 24, 1937 - January 5, 2023