MATTHEW MICHAEL LESKO

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.