Leon Cherkassky

Leon Cherkassky, 68, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, passed away on Jan. 25, 2024, surrounded by his family. Devoted husband to Milana, wonderful father to Lisa; loving father-in-law to Robert; loyal son to Dora and Yefim (deceased) and dear brother to Greg (deceased).

Leon was born in Moscow in 1955 during a turbulent time in the Soviet Union’s history. Both his parents had lost their families in the Holocaust, but despite this tragic background, Leon was raised in a strong, compassionate and loving family. He moved to the United States in 1991 to be with his future wife, Milana, in Philadelphia, PA.

Leon had natural gifts, and pursued them in his quest for knowledge his whole life. He was always reading — a love instilled in him by his parents — and read thousands of books in his lifetime. He was musically gifted and had perfect pitch; he studied piano and performed concerts in Moscow. 

He excelled at every academic subject and only received top marks, which, in his family, was expected and not considered extraordinary. He had a photographic memory, and remembered everything he’d ever read or learned. He rose through academia and earned a PhD in applied mathematics and computer science from Moscow Aviation University.  

He also had emotional intelligence: he was articulate about his feelings, thoughtful with his words, and could read people. He craved the society of others, and he made generosity an art form. He excelled as a host, and, with his wife, prepared six-course feasts for guests no matter how casual the occasion. 

He had an encyclopedic knowledge of jokes for every occasion and every subject. It didn’t matter if you’d heard it before, you just wanted to hear him tell it again because his choice of words was always perfect as was his comedic timing. 

He and his wife were avid travelers, and explored the world together. He loved being alive and had so much more he wanted to explore and do. The void created by Leon’s passing is immense: his thoughtfulness, consideration, love, sensitivity, sense of humor, earnestness, and respect for everyone he knew were rare qualities for one person to possess. The world is less interesting and less beautiful without him. We miss him more than words can relate.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Services on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1:30 PM at Goldstein’s Rosenberg's Raphael Sacks Suburban North, 310 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966. Interment will follow at Shalom Memorial Park. Shiva will be held afterward at Mila and Leon’s home on Sunday only.