Lionel Franklin Gilels

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Lionel Franklin Gilels, age 84, of Syracuse, New York, passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at home surrounded by his family and caregivers.

Lionel was born on June 10, 1940 to Dorothy and Alex Gilels. At the age of 10, Lionel and his siblings were orphaned overnight when their parents died in a car accident returning from a vacation. Despite the challenges of his youth, Lionel continued secondary school followed by community college and eventually entered the eyecare business with his elder step brothers. A gifted entrepreneur and visionary, Lionel later branched out to create an empire of his own, appropriately named Empire Vision Centers.
This award winning retail chain started in 1977, now known as Visionworks, is a leading provider of eyecare services in the United States.

Lionel was a passionate golfer and had the good fortune of retiring early, spending winters in Florida amidst a circle of his closest friends. For over twenty years, he lived a rich and fulfilling life between Syracuse and Florida, playing golf, traveling with his wife Jackie, visiting his children and grandchildren, and spending summers on Nantucket.

Lionel touched many people’s lives. He was a loyal, generous, unshakably optimistic friend and was highly regarded for his business prowess, brilliance, and sense of humor. On special occasions, he was also known as an author of entertaining poems.

Lionel’s devotion to his family as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son-in-law was profound. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Victor, Elliot, and Jerry Gilels. He is survived by his sisters Georgeanne Burke and Laberta Forman, his wife Jacquelyn Gilels of 58 years, who dedicated years of her life to his care, his daughter, Dori, and son-in-law, Michael Beltz, and grandchildren Matilda and Clarence Beltz, and his daughter, Emily, and granddaughters, Eila and Milaan Mitra.

A private Jewish burial will take place with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the national Alzheimer’s Association.

https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNDHYMMBXU