LESLIE JAMES ROLLINS passed away peacefully at home June 3rd., 2023. He was well known in Dutchess County and New York as the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. He was born in Westfield, MA on Christmas day in 1927 to Lorand Alfred Rollins and Annie Ruth (Parkhill) Rollins of Ayers Cliff Quebec.

Les was predeceased by three brothers, Winston, Maurice, and Lorand Jr., His wife, Beverly (Perry) passed away in 2022 after 71 years of marriage. Les and Bev enjoyed traveling together, playing golf and tennis and could really 'cut a rug'.

Along with several grandchildren, Leslie is survived by his sons Perry Martin Rollins and wife Jeannette from West Copake NY, Randy Allan Rollins and wife Ginny from Baltimore Md, Matthew Ameade Rollins, and wife Erin from Millbrook, NY. He was pre-deceased in 2017 by his son James Lorand Rollins from Millbrook, NY.

Les's formative years were shaped by his time helping on the family farm in Northern Vermont during the recession. At age 8 he started a 4H project and raised prized Guernsey calves which over time greatly improved the family herd. He went to school in a one room schoolhouse and often joked that he was the second smartest kid in a class of two. He usually skied to school but sometimes he would catch a ride with a 4-horse drawn snow roller that packed snow for the sleighs. He went to high school in Derby Vermont, where he excelled in sports. Basketball was the only one that didn't interfere with his farm chores, and they made it to the state championships each year.

When WW II broke out, Leslie stood watch most nights on the neighbor's second floor balcony in the event a German plane flew by. He was supposed to identify the plane with a chart and report it. Luckily, he never had to. He then decided to join the navy even though he was underage, could not swim and had not finished high school. He became a Yeoman, and served on Alexander J. Luke, a destroyer escort, and then transferred to the destroyer USS Henley DD762, which traveled throughout the Mediterranean as a peacekeeper.

After his discharge, he went to the University of Vermont on the GI bill. Married with kids by the time he was a junior, he worked driving a milk truck, a commuter bus, selling vacuum cleaners, and construction. He studied extension education because extension agents were revered by the farmers in Vermont, and he didn't have to take much math.

He progressed from his first jobs in Franklin and Washington Counties to Dutchess County where he created an entirely new position as Executive Director. He even acquired his master's degree at Michigan State University to strengthen his qualifications for this new role. He designed and initiated the construction of the Extension office building in Millbrook to house all aspects of extension. During his tenure, he developed an extension program envied by every county in the state. He was also instrumental in developing the contour farming seen throughout New York and participated in the rural planning of Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie.

After retiring from extension, he started a construction company, flipping houses as well as performing renovations and new construction for clients. He continued this into his 90's and enjoyed having his sons work with him when the project allowed.

Les was a founding member of the Millbrook Rotary Club, of which he remained active until his passing. We would like to thank the incredible staff at the Fountains, his longtime aide, Margaret, everyone with Hospice, and all of Les and Bev's friends for the care and kindness he received.

Leslie was a man of great honesty and integrity with a sincere appreciation for everyone he met. He was happy, loved his family, and saw only the best in others.

A simple burial will take place Friday June 9th at the Washington Hollow cemetery.

If so inclined, donations in his memory can be made to The Millbrook RotaryFoundation, PO Box 261 Millbrook NY 12545.