Lester J. Hynes

Albany - Lester John Hynes of Albany passed away peacefully after an extended illness on September 3, 2025. Born October 17th, 1942 to his parents Thomas and Julia (nee Murphy) Hynes in Brooklyn, New York.

Les attended historic PS39 for grammar school and graduated from John Jay High School in 1960. After High School he worked for a Wall Street Law Firm, Sherman and Sterling in the Legal Document Department. Joining the Naval Reserve in 1961, he volunteered for the submarine service. From 1963 to 1965 he served aboard the USS Clamagore (SS-343) and qualified in submarine service in 1964, finishing his Naval service in 1968.

He returned after active service working at the Law Firm until being accepted to the Culinary Institute of American in New Haven, Connecticut.

Les married while in school to the love of his life, Monique Janson in August of 1967.

Graduating with honors in 1968, he and Monique managed the Institute of Man and Science in Rensselaerville, New York. He was recruited to the University of Albany as Manager of the Faculty Dining Room and Banquet Operations and subsequently promoted to the Director of Cash Sales for the University. Leaving after nearly 20 years, he formed a catering company, The Golden Toque. He also served as Manager of Mallozzi’s Banquet House in Schenectady and Chaucer’s Banquet House in Clifton Park. Les then became the owner of Farnham’s Larkin Restaurant in Albany.

Les has been a 50 year Eucharistic Minister to three parishes in the Albany Diocese, on the Dean Advisory Panel at Schenectady County Community College for Culinary Arts, a Mentor for the Mentor Program at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, as well as a Member of the Rotary Club and American Legion Post.

Les enjoyed time spent with his family and many vacations in Wells Beach, Maine.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Julie, his wife Monique in 2012 and son Michael in 2017.

He is survived by his brother Peter (Anne) of Port Charlotte, Florida, daughter-in-law Valerie Hynes of Niskayuna, son John (Beth) of South Carolina, nephew Kevin Hynes of Fort Myers, Florida, granddaughters Lauren Hynes-Mason (Carl) of Colonie and Rian Hynes of South Carolina, grandson Devon Purzycki of South Carolina, and great granddaughter Gianna Mason of Colonie.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Les’ neighbor and good friend, Peter McDermott and his caregiver, Vanessa Moulton, as well as his entire care team at Community Hospice for their compassion and support.

Calling hours will be held at the Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie on Tuesday from 5 to 7 pm. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 10:30 at Mater Christi Parish, 40 Hopewell Street, Albany.

Memorial donations can be made in Les’ memory to The Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.

Rite of Committal will be held at Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York at a later date.