Obituary for M. William LeMon, Jr.
Bill was born on August 14, 1932 in Rochester, New York. His parents were Dr. Melvin LeMon and Jane O. LeMon. He grew up in Lewisburg, PA and Aurora, NY. He graduated from Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY. He received his BS in Journalism from Bucknell University and his MS in Radio-Television from Syracuse University.
In 1957 he married Yvonne Goss of Syracuse. They have three children, Jeffrey (Carol) of Jamesville, April of Jacksonville, FL, and James (Jeanne) of Chatham, NJ. They have six grandchildren, Erica (Paul) Corgel of Arlington, VA, Kelsey of Atlanta, GA, Meghan, Tristan, Graham, and Sadie all of Chatham, NJ.
He joined the Coolican Advertising Agency in 1956 as a copywriter and TV producer. In 1965 he was named vice-president of the agency and became owner upon the passing of his partner, James J. “Bud” Coolican in 1970. He retained the company’s name, Coolican-LeMon, Inc.
Bill was active in numerous community endeavors. He served as president of the CNY Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter, the CNY Bucknell Alumni Club and the Syracuse Exchange. He was the first Christian to serve on the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Jewish Community Center and was honored as their Man of the Year in 1973.
He was longtime secretary of the Syracuse Basketball Hardwood Club and a founding member and secretary of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. He also served as vice president of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.
Bill belonged to Drumlins Country Club and was a director of the Upstate NY Chapter of US Lacrosse and a board member of the Blindmen & Criers.
Always encouraging people to support local products and businesses, he founded “The Cart Starts Here” and the “Closer Grocer” marketing campaigns. Bill’s current gem of marketing genius being “It’s Onondaga Grown”, highlighting many of the Onondaga County farm products.
He started the New York State Fair Boys Basketball Tournament and was its director each year since 1987.
Bill also taught advertising, marketing and public relations at LeMoyne College, Onondaga Community and Empire State College. He served LeMoyne as Sports Information Director and founded the college’s Gold Wave.
Bill’s blood was Orange, having missed only one home game in 40 years. Traveling to many away games and never missing a Big East Tournament. GO ORANGE!
His wit and humor was paramount in everything he did, even to his last days.
Were he here, he would be the first to thank all his friends for their support. Also, his caretakers, Dr. Tony Scalzo and his staff, The Menorah Park Staff and the East Syracuse Walmart Pharmacy for their care, compassion, understanding and kindness.
A graveside service will be at Noon on Tuesday, August 13 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt. Please use the Randall Road entrance.
In 1957 he married Yvonne Goss of Syracuse. They have three children, Jeffrey (Carol) of Jamesville, April of Jacksonville, FL, and James (Jeanne) of Chatham, NJ. They have six grandchildren, Erica (Paul) Corgel of Arlington, VA, Kelsey of Atlanta, GA, Meghan, Tristan, Graham, and Sadie all of Chatham, NJ.
He joined the Coolican Advertising Agency in 1956 as a copywriter and TV producer. In 1965 he was named vice-president of the agency and became owner upon the passing of his partner, James J. “Bud” Coolican in 1970. He retained the company’s name, Coolican-LeMon, Inc.
Bill was active in numerous community endeavors. He served as president of the CNY Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Chapter, the CNY Bucknell Alumni Club and the Syracuse Exchange. He was the first Christian to serve on the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Jewish Community Center and was honored as their Man of the Year in 1973.
He was longtime secretary of the Syracuse Basketball Hardwood Club and a founding member and secretary of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. He also served as vice president of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.
Bill belonged to Drumlins Country Club and was a director of the Upstate NY Chapter of US Lacrosse and a board member of the Blindmen & Criers.
Always encouraging people to support local products and businesses, he founded “The Cart Starts Here” and the “Closer Grocer” marketing campaigns. Bill’s current gem of marketing genius being “It’s Onondaga Grown”, highlighting many of the Onondaga County farm products.
He started the New York State Fair Boys Basketball Tournament and was its director each year since 1987.
Bill also taught advertising, marketing and public relations at LeMoyne College, Onondaga Community and Empire State College. He served LeMoyne as Sports Information Director and founded the college’s Gold Wave.
Bill’s blood was Orange, having missed only one home game in 40 years. Traveling to many away games and never missing a Big East Tournament. GO ORANGE!
His wit and humor was paramount in everything he did, even to his last days.
Were he here, he would be the first to thank all his friends for their support. Also, his caretakers, Dr. Tony Scalzo and his staff, The Menorah Park Staff and the East Syracuse Walmart Pharmacy for their care, compassion, understanding and kindness.
A graveside service will be at Noon on Tuesday, August 13 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt. Please use the Randall Road entrance.