Obituary of Alexander S. Lett

Alexander Stafford Lett, 92, passed away peacefully on September 15th, joining in Heaven his beloved wife of 65 years, Joan Gospodarek Lett; his sister, Kathryn McCausland Waddle; and his son, Christopher F. Lett. In mourning are his brother Hank Lett, his children Kathy, Stephen, Stephanie, David, and Brian Lett, their spouses, ten grandchildren and a great-grandson.   In addition, Alexander was beloved by Joan’s family, the Gospodarek’s: Joan’s sisters and brother, and nieces and nephews and their families.

Al was the eldest child of Irish immigrants Harry and Jane McCarthy Lett, born in Rockville Centre, and grew up in Lynbrook, NY. He attended Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, studied electrical engineering at MIT, and graduated as an Air Force lieutenant working on early computers at the Pentagon. He earned his Master’s in Business Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, enjoyed a 37-year career at IBM, created computer systems for international companies, and contributed to eight patents. 

A devout Catholic, Al was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, NY.  For many years, he was a leader in the local Cursillo Movement, a retreat weekend and Christian support community focused on prayer, study, and action.

Al's favorite leisure activity was saltwater fishing.  It was a lifelong passion that he shared with his father, children, and grandchildren. Fishing anywhere in the Northeast, whether from shore or boat, gave him great pleasure.  Memorably, he ventured to Alaska for salmon fishing and caught a white marlin off Hampton Bays, NY, in 1959.

He will be remembered by those who knew him as faithful to Christ and family.  

A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 27th, from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. at Clark Associates Funeral Home, Katonah, NY.  A Catholic funeral mass will follow at St. Joseph’s Church, Somers, NY, at 11:30 A.M. and burial at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley, NY.  

For their steadfast care of Al in his final years, the family suggests memorial donations to the Staff Holiday Fund at his residence: 

Benchmark Associate Holiday Fund, Inc. (memo Ridgefield Crossings)  

Carol Laudati, Business Administrator  

Ridgefield Crossings 

640 Danbury Rd.  

Ridgefield, CT 06877