Warren Lennox Tribute

IHS 1958 Alumnus, School Board President, Ilion Pharmacist

September 2020

By Aileen Carney Sweeney

September 2020 - Warren T. Lennox

Warren T. Lennox Tribute

Warren Lennox served on the Ilion Board of Education for 25 years starting in 1973. He was also President of the Board Education for twenty years. Rarely do you see such dedication today from citizens serving in voluntary, unpaid positions.

Besides the School Board, Warren served on other boards and was an Ilion pharmacist for 46 years. Sadly, Warren Lennox passed away, at the age of 80, on Wednesday August 12, 2020 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

William Lennox IHS 1927

Warren was born on July 12, 1940 in Utica, the son of William and Elizabeth (Robertson) Lennox. The family made their home at 203 Second Street, Ilion. Warren's father, William Lennox, was a Remington Arms process engineer and a 1927 graduate of Ilion High School. Warren's dad died at the family home on September 30, 1950. He was only 41 years old when he died. He had been ill for only three months. Warren's mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Lennox, raised the four surviving young sons; Rodney, Warren, David and William, who at that time ranged from age 13 to age 4.

 

Warren T. Lennox

Warren was a 1958 graduate of Ilion High School. While in high school, he was a class officer and "...had a chance to see politics in the making while attending Boys' State." They four Lennox brothers were featured, along with their father, on this web site's 1998 Guess the Graduate page.

 

September 2020 - Lennox Guess The Graduate

 

Warren Lennox - Pharmacist

September 2020 - Lennox Buys Hortons Drug Store 1963

 

In 1962, Warren graduated of Albany College of Pharmacy. Warren Lennox returned to his hometown to establish his own business. Ralph Horton IHS 1916 and a graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy had opened his own pharmacy, Horton's Drug Store, in 1939. It was located on East Main Street in Ilion. In 1963, at the age of 22, Warren Lennox bought Horton's Drug Store in Ilion.

 

September 2020 - Lennox Buys Mulvey's Drug Store 1969
The Evening Telegram January 3, 1969

 

In 1969, Warren Lennox merged his Horton's Drug Store with Mulvey's Pharmacy. Both William and Robert Mulvey graduated from Ilion High School in 1922. William Mulvey graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1924. William Mulvey was a partner, for five years, in the Mulvey Medical Center Pharmacy, on Otsego Street when he died in 1960. His brother, Robert C. Mulvey, continued the business, with his wife, until Robert died suddenly, while on vacation, on June 28, 1968.

 

September 2020 - Lennox Drug Store Otsego St. 1973
Ilion Library Digital Collection

 

Below is The Evening Telegram January 3, 1969 story about the Mulvey sale.

ILION - Warren T. Lennox, owner of Lennox Pharmacy, E. Main St., has purchased Mulvey's Pharmacy on Otsego St. it was announced today. Lennox purchased the business from Mrs. Esther M. Mulvey who has operated the drug store since the death of her husband, Robert, last June. The Mulveys purchased the Otsego St. pharmacy from the B. A. Russell estate in 1956. They previously had operated a drug store on Central Ave. for a number of years. Lennox, a 1958 graduate of Ilion Central High School and 1962 graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy bought the Main St. business (Horton's Drug Store) in 1963. Lennox said he plans to combine the two drug stores at the Otsego St. location under the name of Lennox Pharmacy and plans to retain employees of both stores. He and his wife, the former Judith Mack of Prospect, have two daughters, Dana 6, and Kristin, 2. They reside at 252 S. Fourth Ave. He is the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Lennox, village deputy clerk, and the late William T. Lennox.

 

September 2020 - Lennox Drug Store Robbed 1973
The Evening Telegram June 2, 1973

 

William Lennox - IHS 1964, joined his brother Warren, in 1971, to form Lennox Brothers Pharmacy in Ilion. The brothers operated the pharmacy on Otsego Street before the completion of urban renewal. Just days before moving into their newly constructed store, the Otsego Street business location was burglarized. Ilion was not always such a safe place; not even back in the 1970s.

 

September 2020 - Lennox Groundbreaking for Drug Store 1973
GROUND BREAKING ceremonies were held Thursday in Ilion for the new Warner's Men's Shop and Lennox Pharmacy. The approximately 7.000 square feet of the complex will be of early American design. On hand for the dedication were Bertrand Warner, Warren Lennox, Ilion Mayor James Garnsey and Urban Renewal Chairman Harold Riddell. Warner's Men's Shop is now occupying a temporary building. Lennox Pharmacy will move directly from 12 Otsego St. to the new location. - The Evening Telegram March 2, 1973

 

 

September 2020 - Lennox Store Opening 1973
DUAL EVENT — Ribbon cutting ceremonies for Ilion; Central Plaza Project's two newest stores were held yesterday morning. Warner's Men's Shop and Lennox Pharmacy were officially opened marking the tenth and eleventh businesses to open under Ilion's Urban Renewal development. At Lennox's: top photo, Mrs. Judy Lennox, Warren Lennox, William Lennox and Harold Riddell, URA chairman. - The Evening Telegram June 6, 1973

 

Civic Volunteer Activities

September 2020 - Warren Lennox - Nursing Home  Chapel
MOHAWK VALLEY General Hospital Guild Wednesday presented a check for $1,000 to kick off the drive to furnish the new Mohawk Valley Nursing Home Chapel with liturgical appointments. Accepting the check from Guild President Evelyn Edgett is Warren Lennox, (center) fund chairman, and the Rev. Patrick Mangan, fund director. - The Evening Telegram March 22, 1971

Warren served on many other boards and committees besides the Ilion Board of Education. He was director of Mohawk Valley Savings and Loan. He was a 50 plus year member and treasurer of the Armory Hill Cemetery, an elder and treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church in Ilion and a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge for over 50 years. He served on the United Way Committees year after year.

 

September 2020 - Lennox United Way 1971
PLEDGE CARDS and other campaign supplies of United Fund of Frankfort, Herkimer., Ilion and Mohawk were handed out last night at the offices in Ilion. From left, Mary Kocyba, secretary, distributes the materials to Fred Boughton, campaign vice chairman; Warren Lennox, Ilion co - chairman; and Joseph Brown. Herkimer co - chairman. Official opening of the 1972 campaign is next week. - The Evening Telegram September 24, 1971

 

September 2020 - Warren Lennox - Ilion Board of Education

 

School Board History

The Ilion school board on April 16, 1973, appointed Warren Lennox of 252 South Fourth Ave., Ilion, to complete the unexpired term of office of Merrill Jennings. Jennings resigned earlier that year and Lennox assumed his responsibilities as a board member. In June of 1973, Warren was elected to the School Board. He later went on to serve for over 25 years. During his tenure, major building projects were completed. The Remington Elementary School was constructed in 1977. The new building replaced the older elementary schools, East Frankfort, West Hill and North Street schools. The district sold the older, elementary school, buildings. Warren served on the school board until 1998.

 

September 2020 - Dr. C. J Diss Alumni Hall of Fame 2019

 

The Diss Athletic Complex

 

Dr. Charles (C.J.) Diss, Class of 1897, left an endowment earmarked for athletics/recreation. Dr. Diss, was an Ilion graduate and village physician who died in 1953. He left the $130,000 fund to the school district and Village of Ilion for an athletic facility that would benefit the residents and the school district. Warren Lennox served, as member of the School Board, on the committee to determine how to spend the endowment. The Diss Memorial Athletic Complex was finally built, on the school grounds and dedicated in 1980. Warren was very proud of that accomplishment and accepted the 2019 Alumni Hall of Fame Award to Dr. Diss on behalf of the Ilion School Board.

 

August 2020 - Warren Lennox Obituary

 

September 2020 - September 2020 - Warren Lennox IHS 1958

 

Warren T. Lennox, IHS 1958, 80 of Ilion, passed away on Wednesday August 12, 2020 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, with his loving wife by his side. Warren was born on July 12, 1940 in Utica, the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Robertson) Lennox. Warren was a 1958 graduate of Ilion Schools and a 1962 graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy. On December 18, 1982, he married the former Sharon Stevenson in Ilion. In 1963, at the age of 22, he bought Horton's Drug Store in Ilion and merged with Mulvey's Pharmacy in 1969. In 1971, his brother Bill joined him to form Lennox Brothers Pharmacy in Ilion. Warren retired from the business in 2009. He was director of Mohawk Valley Savings and Loan, and a 25-year member of the Ilion Board of Education, serving as president for 20 years. He was a 50 plus year member and treasurer of the Armory Hill Cemetery, an elder and treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church in Ilion and a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge for over 50 years. Warren was an avid golfer and sports fan, always supporting his favorite teams, The New York Giants and Rangers, the Atlanta Braves and Syracuse University. Warren is survived by his loving wife Sharon; two daughters Dana Lennox-Tate of Greenville SC, Kristin Lennox-Fahey of Ilion; a stepson Steve Billings and his wife Amy of Dolgeville; two brothers David and his wife Patricia of Erie PA and William and Barbara of Ilion; five grandchildren Joshua and his wife Meghan Appley, Karlee Tate, Michael Fahey, Joseph Tate and Ainsley Billings. He also leaves his many close golf and poker buddies. He was predeceased by a brother Rodney. Funeral services for Warren are private. Friends and family may call on Wednesday August 19, 2020 from 3-6 pm at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc. 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. A graveside service open to friends and family will be held on Thursday August 20, 2020 at 11 am at the Armory Hill Cemetery in Ilion. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either the Armory Hill Cemetery, c/o 4 Sunset Ave Ilion, NY 13357 or the First Presbyterian Church, 90 Morgan St. in Ilion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Face coverings are required for entry into the funeral home. To send an online condolence please go to www.whiter-hendrix.com. (August 15, 2020)

Warren Lennox Legacy

For twenty years, Warren Lennox was President of the Ilion Board of Education. His dedication to his community with hours and hours of volunteering activities are evident when you look around the village. From the Nursing Home, the Presbyterian Church, the Remington Elementary School, the Diss Complex, and your own medicine cabinet, these are the reminders of the legacy of Warren T. Lennox.

Doty's Golf Course

A ceremony was held at Doty's Golf Course on September 26, 2020 when this memorial was unveiled in memory of Warren Lennox. Warren's home on Applewood Drive bordered Doty's golf course on the south side.

 


back page

Created and maintained by Aileen Carney Sweeney - Class of 1974

Digital Image Copyright & Copyright © 1997 - 2020 ilionalumni.com September 27, 2020


spacer
Alumni Home | Class News | General News | District History | Search | Traditions
spacer