MATTHEW MICHAEL LESKO

Date of Birth

March 3, 1959

Date of Death

December 27, 2021

Matthew Michael Lesko, age 62, of Elburn, passed away at his home, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family and friends, Tuesday, December 27, 2021.

He was born March 3, 1959 in Binghamton, NY, to loving parents, John and Olga Lesko.

Matt grew up in Binghamton and attended local schools. He graduated from Binghamton High School before attending Rochester Institute of Technology, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation from college, Matt worked for General Electric on submarine technology.  in Pittsfield, MA. It was here that Matt became involved in a song recording of Abe Guthrie for the United Way. Thereafter he moved to Chicago to pursue his music interests. Matt’s career in aerospace engineering and with Sony inspired his adaptation of these sciences into innovations in sound technology.  He became expert in synclavier, a premium synthesizer used by top artists of the time and was involved in the production of a McDonald’s SuperBowl Commercial.  A genius in sound engineering, Matt was an innovator, securing a patent for of a specialized pre-amp used by a number of high profile, Grammy award winning artists and producers such as Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits, Cincinnati Philharmonic Orchestra, George Strait, Jerry Douglas, Anthony Jackson, Chuck Ainlay, Michael Bishop and Hiromi among many others. More recently, Matt has a patent pending for innovation in microphone cable technology improvements. Matt was also the owner of two companies, UpState Audio and Lesko Audio Research Corporation, or LARC. Basically, if someone said it couldn’t be done, Matt would prove them wrong. He was an expert in “end of life replacement parts” for a multitude of manufacturing needs. Even into his last moments, his mind raced with possibilities and plans for the latest and greatest which would make musical history. When he did take time to himself, he surrounded himself with the love of his wife and his dog Rusty. He enjoyed taking his recumbent trike for wild rides down the trails with Rusty leading the way. Matt always had a story to tell and he relished each opportunity to share breakfast with his friend Don Kames each Saturday morning.   Matt loved his friends and family and maintained lifelong friendships with those whom he met throughout the course of his life.  

Matt met his match when he met Susan Zearbaugh through mutual friends. It wasn’t long until their loved bloomed and led them down the aisle in 1996. They began their new life together in Syracuse, NY for a brief period, then returned to Susan’s residence in Bolingbrook, IL. Eventually they came to make a home in Elburn and continued to make memories to last a lifetime.

Matt was a proud member of AES, Audio Engineering Society.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 25 years, Susan Lesko; one brother Jerry (Barb) Lesko; many nieces, nephews and cousins, especially his cousin Charlotte Gani; sisters-in-law: Christy (Ralf) Pirone, Jennifer (Barry) Warren; a brother-in-law, Marty (Phyllis) Zearbaugh; his mother-in-law, Marilyn Zearbaugh; two great-aunts, Kay Dull and Darlene Zearbaugh, as well as a family of friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Olga Lesko.

Visitation will be from 1-2:30 p.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, with a funeral service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Matt’s name to the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District (ECFPD) donations may be mailed to ECFPD, 200 E Rt 38, Elburn, IL.

Memories and tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 1-2:30 p.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, with a funeral service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.

20 thoughts on “MATTHEW MICHAEL LESKO

  1. Susan, so sorry for your loss. I’ll be thinking of you. Take care.

  2. Matt will be dearly missed. My fondest memories of Matt are during one of the many family gatherings where he would strike up a conversation with anyone. It’s a trait anyone would love to have! My condolences go out to Susan & all of the family & friends of Matt.

  3. I met Matt while he was a contractor at Honeywell Aerospace. Since my husband and I are also musicians, we had lots of things to chat with Matt about, including his preamp creation and pending patent. He was absolutely genius and constantly had new inventive ideas. Matt was very willing to help others. Even though he was only in Tucson for a few short years, he helped me buy my accoustic guitar which I still play 20 years later, and
    volunteered to play electric guitar at our church.
    Though Matt had left Tucson for close to 20 tears, we continue to stay in touch. It was always nice to get a phone call from him, to hear of his latest inventions.
    My husband and I will surely miss him.

  4. Susan: So sorry about Matt passing. Did not know him very well, but only heard good things about him. I will not be able to attend the service in person, but will be there in thought.

    With love,

    Jerry

  5. Susan….my heartfelt condolences to you in the loss of your Maddie. Obviously my memories take me back many years to when he was a baby on Court Street in Binghamton and then on to the infamous 9 Valley Street.my husband Tony passed 2 years ago quite suddenly..just know if ever u need to talk I’ll b here for you…this is not an easy road but something we must do. When I think of Maddie I will always remember his great big smile and killer hugs and of course his beyond brilliant mind. He was like a child on Christmas morning with enthusiasm and excitement. Cousin Diane Stento/Binghamton

  6. So sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. I would get calls from Matt at all times of day. He always had the answer to problems I didn’t even know I had. He had a wonderful laugh and was tenacious, hard working, and brilliant.
    Rest In Peace Matt.

    My condolences to you Susan.

  7. Susan you have mu deepest sympathy on the loss of Matt. I will miss our talks at breakfast and after. Electronicly Matt was the smartest guy I ever met Susan I am at your disposal and only a phone call away. See you Monday.

  8. I did not know Matt that well but the times that I spent with him left an indelible and positive impression on me that I will remember forever. Matt was the son of my grandfather’s (Michael Francis Lesko) brother John.

    On one visit to my family, I was amazed that he had ridden a bicycle from State College Pennsylvania all the way to Charlottesville Virginia to visit my sister who was matriculating at the University of Virginia at the time!

    He regaled my family with amazing stories and was I remember him telling me about his experiences in the music industry- among many other entertaining stories.

    My deepest sympathies to Susan and Matt will be missed. I wish I had known him better because I really liked him and he was very interesting and intelligent.

    Sincerely,

    John Michael Lesko

  9. Susan. Very sorry you lost your soulmate but remember he will always be with you in spirit. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend but I will be thinking of you Lots of prayers going your way.

  10. You will be missed, many fond memories visiting Uncle John, Aunt Olga, and Aunt Mary upstairs on Valley St. and playing in Valley St. park as kids. Rest in Peace Cousin

  11. My brother Mark was a close friend of Matt, and I think we may have been distant cousins. I remember him as 1 of the greatest, most cheerful guys I ever knew, and I regret not having had more time with him, to repay his memorable friendship. I pray for him to have peace now, and for his close family to have strength.

  12. Though my family and I live far away in Adelaide , South Australia I have many fond memories of Matt. Stopping off in Chicago was always a great highlight when visiting the family and catching up with Matt and Susan was always exciting and a lot of fun. Loved having breakfast in Elburn with Matt or shopping at the market for fresh produce. He was a great tour guide and had lots of ideas to show off Chicago. Walking along the magnificent mile or the Navy Pier were always a treat. Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago with Matt was always a priority for me. Millenium park and shopping at Marshall Fields were must do’s every trip. The greatest memories though are the many chats we would have at the house over coffee or during dinner – chats about music, the family, and sharing our favourite artists and songs. I loved the conversations over the phone long distance from Adelaide to catchup on life. Am amazed at how these conversations over 20 plus years where short and very costly – the conversations were about 10 and always on a house phone. And now days things have changed so much. We can talk in mobile phones from any location. One of the last conversations I had with Matt was a couple of weeks ago. He shared how he was looking forward to going on a road trip. Coincidently I was in my car actually on a short road trip through the wine region near Adelaide -Maclaren Vale – I was able to show Matt some of the Australian country side – the miles of vineyards, the cow paddocks, open land with majestic gum trees. I know that put a smile on his face.
    My condolences to you Susan.
    Thanks for the memories Matt and may you Rest In Peace.
    Your brother in law Ralf.

    1. So sorry for your loss , Matt and I had some very great and interesting conversations when Matt would stop by with Rusty and stop at my house on the way to or from his neighborhood walks and bike rides , I truly will miss him , he always had great ideas and his gears were always turning in his head ,, he was always thinking on how to improve sound technology, and full of creativeness,, he loved to talk about great old school music from back in the day!!

  13. Deepest sympathy, Susan. Matt had a boisterous laugh and could see the humour in the simple things. He had a zest for life, and despite his health issues, was determined to work and do the things he loved.
    May the happy memories we shared in our visits comfort you. Much Love, Christy

  14. Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and Matt’s family & friends in my thought and prayers during this difficult time (especially today), We spent much time growing up together along with our brothers while living on Valley Street. Those times will never be forgotten! I’m glad that Matt and I stayed close though out the years via phone, e-mails and a few visits when he came into town.
    Aunt Olga never said Good bye…. she always said so long…..so I will leave it at that!
    Our conversations will be missed!!
    Rest In Peace Cousin Matt ❤️

  15. We are sorry to hear of Matt’s passing. When we lived in Elburn,he would always end up talking music and really enjoyed his conversations. He was a very smart guy and will be missed. Peace be with you at this time!

  16. Susan, my prayers are with you and the entire family during this difficult time. 🙏❤️ I remember Matt as a solid individual who deeply cared about his friends. He always had a ear to hear, and a heart that cared.

  17. Susan, my heart and prayers are with you and the family as you grieve Matt’s passing.

    I remember Matt as a solid friend. One who had his ear ready to listen, and genuinely cared about his friends.

    May God’s love surround you during this difficult time.

    🙏❤️🙏

  18. What a wonderful guy Matt was and I was so sorry to hear of his passing. Matt was one of the most enthusiastic people I knew and was always looking for the next thing he could create to better our audio and music world. He will be missed.

  19. He was a re-countable individual of laughter and his life experiences, his open mind always was understanding and opinionated, we will miss him, and he will always be in our hearts, are prayers are with all his family.
    His friends Ed Zanella & Tony Zanella

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