Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 10/Sep/2025 71.223.142.20
Leonard Jerome Dayton (Lenny) of Winchester, TN and formerly of Highland, NY, went home to be with the Lord on May 23, 2019 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of his family. Born to Albert & Dorothy (Brenner) Dayton, He was raised in the Beacon/Newburgh, NY area. He graduated Newburgh Free Academy in 1977. He formerly owned Dot & Son in Beacon, NY. He retired New York State Dept of Correctional Services Fishkill. He was the Dallas Cowboys biggest fan and an avid collector of records, sports memorabilia, antiques & collectibles. He enjoyed hunting, yard sales & flea markets for treasures. He was a mopar man and enjoyed showing his 1968 Dodge Charger at local car shows. His most loved times were spent with family & friends, play board games or poker to wee hours of the morning. His greatest love, joy & source of pride was always his daughter, Amber Jo McKenna (Dayton) who lives in Estill Springs, TN with her husband, Cole, who Lenny loved like a son more than a son-in-law, his granddaughter Charleese (Charlee) and grandson Declan. His family included Darlene Critelli Dayton (mother of Amber) of Elora, TN and Pamela Taylor of Winchester, TN. He was especially close to brother & best friend Cliff (Catherine) Dayton of New Windsor, NY His sister, Alva Joyce of Kingston, NY considered him her hero. Brothers Albert Dayton of Newburgh, NY, Joseph Dayton of Hampton, VA, Sister, Dorothy Raymo of Fishkill, NY. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Dayton & Evelyn Hilton. He was a loving father figure and uncle to Brian Joyce Jr (Michelle) of Highland, NY and Amy Joyce Gonzalez (Brian) of Tega Cay, SC He loved his best friend of 50 yrs, Chris Ward (Debbie) of Milton, NY. He was a fun loving uncle and friend to their boys Brett (Briana) Ward, & Danny Ward and Nephew, Jimmy Critelli. He had several nieces, nephews, and cousins who will all miss him & loved him dearly. Services will be held at a later date in NY.
Leonard Jerome Dayton (Lenny) of Winchester, TN and formerly of Highland, NY, went home to be with the Lord on May 23, 2019 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of his family. Born to Albert & Dorothy (Brenner) Dayton, He was raised in the Beacon/Newburgh, NY area. He graduated Newburgh Free Academy in 1977. He formerly owned Dot & Son in Beacon, NY. He retired New York State Dept of Correctional Services Fishkill. He was the Dallas Cowboys biggest fan and an avid collector of records, sports memorabilia, antiques & collectibles. He enjoyed hunting, yard sales & flea markets for treasures. He was a mopar man and enjoyed showing his 1968 Dodge Charger at local car shows. His most loved times were spent with family & friends, play board games or poker to wee hours of the morning. His greatest love, joy & source of pride was always his daughter, Amber Jo McKenna (Dayton) who lives in Estill Springs, TN with her husband, Cole, who Lenny loved like a son more than a son-in-law, his granddaughter Charleese (Charlee) and grandson Declan. His family included Darlene Critelli Dayton (mother of Amber) of Elora, TN and Pamela Taylor of Winchester, TN. He was especially close to brother & best friend Cliff (Catherine) Dayton of New Windsor, NY His sister, Alva Joyce of Kingston, NY considered him her hero. Brothers Albert Dayton of Newburgh, NY, Joseph Dayton of Hampton, VA, Sister, Dorothy Raymo of Fishkill, NY. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Dayton & Evelyn Hilton. He was a loving father figure and uncle to Brian Joyce Jr (Michelle) of Highland, NY and Amy Joyce Gonzalez (Brian) of Tega Cay, SC He loved his best friend of 50 yrs, Chris Ward (Debbie) of Milton, NY. He was a fun loving uncle and friend to their boys Brett (Briana) Ward, & Danny Ward and Nephew, Jimmy Critelli. He had several nieces, nephews, and cousins who will all miss him & loved him dearly. Services will be held at a later date in NY.