Leon Van Lieshout, 92 years, of Geneseo, NY, formerly of Albion, NY, died on December 23, 2019 after being diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2019. He was born in the Netherlands, February 1, 1927, the son of Godfrey and Anne Marie van Lieshout. Leon and his wife Hendrika married on September 19, 1956, and immigrated to the United States on September 29, 1956. They first settled in the Baltimore, MD area, where their six children were born. They also lived in Verona, NY, before moving to Albion, NY in 1978. Leon was a life-long dairy farmer, owning his own farms in upstate New York. Two of his sons, Michael and Andrew, continue to build on the farm he started in Albion. Leon served in the choir and was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Albion for over 30 years before moving to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Livonia. Leon also loved ice skating, playing the accordion, and serving in local politics.
He is survived by his children, Michael (Cyndy) Van Lieshout of Albion, Martina (Stephen) Moulton of Le Roy, David (Christina) Van Lieshout of Livonia, Lawrence (Barbara) Van Lieshout of Stillwater, MN, Andrew Van Lieshout of Albion, Anne Marie (Chris) Barnwell of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Jenna (Martin) Bruning, Alex (Maggie), Mitchell, and Garrett Van Lieshout; Stephanie (Robert) Rauch, Phillip and Natalie Moulton; Peter, Katelyn (Ian) Ladner, Adam (Katie) and Marissa Van Lieshout; Virginia & Michael Van Lieshout; Amelia and Victor Woods; step-grandchildren Christopher and Jessica Barnwell; and ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Jaantje van den Oever of The Netherlands, Doortje Roefs of the Netherlands, Frances Tillaart of Canada, Lawrence (Mary) VanLieshout of Canada; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Hendrika, his wife of nearly 54 years, one grandchild, and six siblings.
Family and friends may call on Friday, December 27th, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 20A, Livonia, NY. Funeral Mass will be held at 10am Saturday, December 28th, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Road, Rte 20A, Livonia, with a reception to follow. Burial will be held, following the reception, at 2:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Route 31, Albion, NY. Friends wishing, may make memorial contributions to St. Matthew Catholic Church, PO Box 77, Livonia, NY 14487 or through the website www.stsmaryandmatthew.com. To send condolences or further information, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
