Michael Robert Leckstein was born Jan. 8, 1943, in Paterson and passed away of natural causes April 6, 2024, at home in Little Silver, surrounded by his family. He was the son of Irving and Betty Leckstein and the younger brother of Marcia, eight years his senior, all of whom predeceased him.
Michael was extremely proud of his Paterson roots, often relaying stories of his time growing up there and especially telling tales of his time at Eastside High School where he graduated in June 1960. He remained very active with his graduating class, organizing many reunions. Paterson was always close to his heart and he would accept any excuse to travel there, especially to buy chocolate at Krause’s, have pizza at Patsy’s Tavern and ice cream at Guernsey Crest.
Michael attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck where he met the love of his life, Barbara Kiley, in 1962. This began an unparalleled whirlwind romance that led to their elopement in May 1966, an event they honored every 10 years by returning to the site where they took their original vows in Elkton, Maryland, and having the ceremony performed anew. This romance lasted a lifetime, being cut short only by Barbara’s passing in February 2023, three months shy of their 57th anniversary.
Michael and Barbara lived life to the fullest. They traveled the world on multiple occasions, exploring the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Michael also had a love for antique English automobiles, especially the MG. He was a director of the New England MG T Register, with one of his most cherished accomplishments being the “Circuit of Britain,” an event held in July 1990 where he led the return of 89 historic MGs (and their owners) across the Atlantic so they could tour the country where the cars were built.
Beyond travel and automobiles, Michael also engaged in numerous other hobbies. He loved photography, stamp collecting, history, cooking and music. He loved opera and played the piano. He was quick to point out, however, that he could not dance, something which irked him given his wife’s admirable dancing abilities.
Michael graduated from Rutgers Law School in 1969 and eventually chose to move to Little Silver in 1971, where he and Barbara raised their three sons.
He started a very successful law practice focusing on land use. This led to his appointment as the attorney for the Little Silver Planning Board in 1973, a position he would hold for an unprecedented 50 years until he finally handed the role over to his son Marc in January 2024. He also served, until his passing, as the attorney for the Red Bank and Aberdeen planning boards. As a result of his work, Michael played a very important role in many local developments in the area.
More than anything else, Michael was extremely proud of his family. All three sons have excelled in their chosen fields and are a tribute to his love and guidance as a father. However, it was the love for his wife Barbara that most defined Michael. Their romance was such that he passed on April 6, what would have been Barbara’s 78th birthday. He could not resist giving her that one last birthday present so they could spend eternity together. Hollywood could not dream of a more fitting end to their love story.
Michael is survived by his oldest son Marc in Sea Bright and his partner Rebecca; David and wife Rebecca in Rumson and New York City, along with their two children Joshua and Benjamin; and Jeffrey and his partner Nicole in New York City.
Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Funeral Chapels, Ocean is in charge of arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the May 2 – 8, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
