Donald J. Lessek, 78, of Freehold, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at his home.

He was born January 8, 1947 in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.  Growing up, he attended PS200, JHS128, and Lafayette High School.  While still a student in Junior High School, he discovered his love of music, which stayed with him up until his passing. Following his graduation from High School, Donald graduated from Brooklyn College of the City of New York, where he further developed and nurtured his love of music.  For the past thirty-plus years, he has resided in Freehold, NJ.

Donald was a lifelong accomplished musician, performing in many bands throughout his career.  There was not an instrument that existed that he could not play, and he used these skills often for the benefit of young people.  He deeply understood and appreciated the value of learning music at a young age, just as he did with the support and encouragement of his parents.  As a result, he became a Music Teacher within the NYC Public School system, where he taught and led music in the Middle School and High School levels.

His major focus was enriching Middle School students in all aspects of music, especially instrumental music.  Donald proudly led, created, and conducted many bands and orchestras in the schools where he taught, and most notably was the conductor of the Brooklyn All Borough Band and Orchestra.  When faced with insufficient funding for various music programs in the public schools, he would use his own money, musical skills, and instruments to assist his students.  He would do anything necessary for his students’ success up until his retirement in 2008.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Lessek, and a brother, Paul Lessek.

Surviving him are his beloved dog, Oscar; his brother, Peter Lessek and his wife Lynda; his nephews, Timothy Lessek and his wife Jennifer, Justin Lessek and his wife Claire, and Kevin Lessek; cousins, Alan Avrich and Cathy Avrich; and a sister-in-law, Kathy Lessek.

Services for Donald will be Private, under the direction of Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made “In memory of Donald Lessek “69”  to the Brooklyn College Foundation, Conservatory of Music, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210 or via the internet at www.brooklyn.edu/bcf/giving/