In loving memory of Lenward "Len" Gatison - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Lenward ” Len” Gatison
April 1, 1942 – August 25, 2019

Lenward “Len” Gatison, 77, of Fort Myers, FL passed away on August 25, 2019 at Hope Hospice House, Lehigh Acres, FL. As he gained his heavenly wings, he held hands and was surrounded by his wife and son. Lenward was born in Derby, CT on April 1, 1942 to the late James Nelson Gatison and Sylvia Snipes Gatison. He was the fourth of five siblings and truly an independent spirit, jazz lover, dapper dresser and lived his life full and large on his own terms. Lenward spent his childhood years in Ansonia, CT before the family moved to New Haven, CT where he finished middle school and went on to attend James Hillhouse High School graduating in 1959.

Len attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio graduating in 1963 as a business major. During and after college, he made lifelong friends and fraternity brothers (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., New Haven, CT Chapter), and was overjoyed when his son became a member of the same fraternity (Boston, MA Chapter) along with his brother- Ralph, nephew – Sean and son-in-law – Donald.

Len was an entrepreneur at heart and he tried his hand at a few business ventures including a package “liquor” store and a laundromat, but it was the “wheeling and dealing” of real estate that captured his heart. He was the first Black man to be admitted to the Board of Realtors in New Haven, and had a real estate brokerage and insurance business and was successful at real estate development. As a young adult, he was very active in community organizations and became a lifetime member of the NAACP. Len obtained his Masters in Public Administration from the University of New Haven and worked for the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for 20 years, rising to the position of Vice President in Real Estate Management where he became one of the first Certified Property Managers in Asset Management. Len took early retirement in 1996 and pursued his passion of playing golf every chance he got. His dreams came true when the next year he and his family moved to Pennsylvania and built their dream house on a golf course. Rarely a week went by where you did not see Lenward and his son out on the golf course in a fierce battle of who was the better player. It was not the father who pulled off the hole in one.

The true measure of Len was his position as a family man. Family was always first and everything to Len. Len leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 36 years, Barbara (Bain) Gatison, who as his life partner and soul mate staunchly stood by his side to care for him when he became ill. Together they had a son Lenward II who was raised by his retired parents as they enjoyed traveling up and down the East Coast watching their son play ice hockey and spending endless hours on long car rides. Len also leaves behind his loving daughters, Gail Gatison (Vic) Jackson and Debra Gatison (Donald) Hatter. He was super proud to be the spoiling Grandpa to five wonderful grandchildren: Evan Jackson, Danielle Hatter, Jenna Jackson, Daria Hatter and Delaney Hatter. Len was predeceased by two older siblings, Nelson (late Jerry) Gatison and Marcia (late Nate) Simmons. He is survived by his two remaining siblings, Roberta (Moses) Douglas and Ralph (Ramona) Gatison.

When Len married Barbara, he took on becoming a full-fledged member of the Bain family. His in-laws (Lawrence and Isabelle) preceded him in death and loved him like a son. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Linda Day and Gail (late George) Edwards, and his brother-in-law Larry (Patricia) Bain. In addition, he leaves behind to mourn him his two godsons Damon Gatison and Aaron Simmons along with a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews all who absolutely adored their Uncle Lenny.

While the pain of losing Len is crushing, all who loved him rejoice in the knowledge that he is in a better place, free and whole once again. We take comfort in the knowledge that he is now our Guardian Angel watching over us and protecting us from harm. To everyone who knew Len, he left behind a special moment or memory. For some it was the creativity of his abstract art drawings after he lost his eyesight. For others it was his constant sense of humor and quick but unexpected wit, which always made you laugh even when you did not want to. Lenward Gatison will be mourned and missed but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to honor Len’s memory to either Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, Fl 33908 or Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, 12368 Brantley Commons Ct., Fort Myers, FL 33907