Obituary of Julio Cesar Leder-Luis

Esteemed New York architect Julio Leder-Luis died on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the age of 71. A devoted husband, father, friend and mentor, Julio will be remembered for his endless humor and ability to strike up a conversation, his constant creativity in his work and home, his love of travel and the arts, his dedication to his family, and his passion for all things chocolate (especially Oreos). He leaves his wife of 25 years, Judith Herzfeld; children Jayda Siegler, Jetson Leder Luis and Juliana Luis; son-in-law Charles Siegler; daughter-in-law Caroline Howard Luis; and grandson Wesley Siegler. His second grandchild, baby girl Luis, is due this summer. Born Julio Cesar Luis on December 7, 1953 in Havana, Cuba, he was the only child of Digna Rosa Rodriguez-Alto and Julio Luis. He was raised by his mother in New York City after leaving Cuba in 1960 after the revolution. Family was always important to Julio: he was close to his grandmother and many aunts and uncles, and even brought his mother and his Uncle Ray to live with him towards the end of their lives. As a young adult he spent summers working as a lifeguard on Rockaway Beach, saving over 100 people. Though Julio didn't finish his degree, his years at City College New York earned him lifelong friends and a spot on the swim team where he excelled at the butterfly stroke. Julio enjoyed the party of the Big Apple throughout the 70s and 80s, eventually choosing Yonkers to settle down. His first marriage ended in divorce but gave him half his last name, Jayda and Jetson, a start to his business, and a realization that he needed to quit drinking or his kids would grow up without a father—as he had. Julio rebuilt his life and kept sober for 30 years, serving as a major influence on the sobriety of many and an inspiration to countless more. In 1996 he met Judy at a Jewish singles mixer and knew he had found someone special. Luckily, she too was taken by him, as he boastfully showed off pictures of his kids. Judy's friend grabbed him as he was leaving and said, "Don't miss an opportunity." They married in 1999 at Harvest on Hudson in Hastings, and had Juliana in 2001. "Papi" made it a priority to be there—to be truly present—in his family's lives. He attended basketball and baseball games, chess tournaments and choir concerts, dance recitals and school plays. At every graduation, he could be heard shouting "Bravo" as his child crossed the stage. When Judy was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, he was there for her every step of the way in her journey back to health. Julio built and lived in his own castle, adding rooms and ornate details to his Tudor home, where he ran Leder-Luis Architectural Design PLLC before moving the business to downtown Yonkers overlooking the Hudson River. He worked alongside Judy, managed hundreds of jobs at a time, grew to a team of 10 and was a well respected leader and teacher in his field. Having grown up poor and with few possessions, Julio was proud of the things he collected: comic books, baseball cards, Pez dispensers, 1939 World's Fair items…the list goes on. He fixed up a 7-room cabin in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, filling the space with museum-worthy cowboy and Indian memorabilia. He also bought and maintained two Victorian homes in Newton, New Jersey. Julio lived life to the fullest and found so many ways to have fun, taking his family to card and coin shows at the County Center, Wild West towns and pow wows, and parades and street fairs throughout Westchester. Bucking Judy's budgeting complaints, he found the time and money to book family vacations to Disney World, Canada, Alaska, Bermuda, Jamaica, Paris, London, and various national parks. His family and friends recall enjoying Yankee games at the old and new stadiums, trips to Home Depot, skydiving, poker nights with the boys, the napkin game, and his famous Cuban Christmas Eve. Julio fought cancer for over a year, never complaining about his fortune and keeping a positive attitude to the very end. Julio's loved ones will celebrate his life this Saturday, April 19, 2025: Sinatra Funeral Home 499 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers 1pm-4pm viewing 4pm-5pm memorial and eulogy If you have photos or memories you'd like to share, please email them to RememberingJulioLederLuis@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to WhyHunger or the New York Botanical Gardens in memory of Julio. "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."