Michael Lester

Michael Lester passed away, peacefully, at home on December 31, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Annette Lester (nee Haifler), father of Steven (Terri) Lester and Richard (Rachel) Lester, and Brother of Anita Brown and Ira Lester. He was also the grandfather of Haleigh (Justin) Goldstein, Ryan Lester (Kim Batten), Julia Lester, Owen Lester, Eli Lester, Aldin Miller, and Kaylie Miller, and the great-grandfather of Brayden and Liam Goldstein.

Michael was born in Brooklyn, NY, met his wife of over 66 years in college, and raised his family on Long Island, in Bellmore, NY. He built an accounting and law firm providing sage advice to clients, family, and friends for years. Retiring in his early 50s, he spent time traveling, playing golf, and enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral services on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11 AM at the Chapel at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1098 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ 07095. Interment to follow at Beth Israel Cemetery. 

Shiva will be observed Sunday and Monday evenings (January 4th and 5th) from 6 to 9 PM at the home of Rich and Rachel Lester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to support the at-home dialysis program in the Division of Renal Medicine at Penn Medicine, the people who cared for Michael for the past 4 years. To make a contribution online, please follow the link provided to support the Division of Renal Medicine, https://www.pennmedicine.org/giving. For checks, please make payable to “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania,” noting “at-home dialysis support” and mail to Penn Medicine Development, Attn: Andrew Deal, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.”