Leonard Allan Lipsett

Leonard Allan Lipsett, known to all as Allan, passed away on January 6, 2020, following heart complications. He was 69. Allan spent his life in journalism and media, and, despite his strong presence, he never made himself the story. After getting his start in the newspaper world in Jonesboro, GA, he fulfilled his dream of owning a newspaper when he and his wife and partner in all things, Cathy, purchased the Southeast Georgian in Kingsland, GA, when he was only 26. Together, they grew that paper through a booming economic time for the region before selling the paper and setting out a new course in Marietta, GA. In Marietta, Allan manned the metro editor’s desk at the Marietta Daily Journal for many years before joining as press secretary for an up-and-coming politician in the minority party in Congress, Newt Gingrich. Allan handled the Georgia media for Congressman and later Speaker Gingrich from 1992-1998 before returning to work with his favorite business partner, Cathy, in growing their public relations firm, Lipsett & Associates. Since 2005, their partnership has included publishing the Brightside Newspapers in Smyrna/Vinings/Mableton/Austell. Since that time, Allan and Cathy have become deeply involved in the South Cobb community, winning Smyrna Business Persons of the Year in 2007. Also in 2007, he and Cathy were named Small Business Journalists of the Year from the Georgia Small Business Administration. In the Vinings community in 2013, they were named Business Members of the Year by the Vinings Business Association. Allan modeled work-life balance, loving his work but also playing important roles in the community. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta since 1989, he has spent many years lending the church his tenor talent and has served as a Deacon. He was a long-time member of the Marietta Kiwanis Club and more recently of the Smyrna Golden K Kiwanis Club in Smyrna, where he served as president from 2010-2011. He also served on the board of The Extension. Above all, Allan was committed to his family. He leaves behind a loving family: his devoted wife of 47 years, Cathy; his younger sister Phyllis Lipsett; son Peter Lipsett and daughter Katie Long, and their respective and much loved spouses, Ann-Bailey Lipsett and Drew Long; and four granddaughters in whom he took so much delight - Peter's Lilly Bell and Harper and Katie's Addie and Caroline. To them, in his quiet way, he modeled compassion, hard work, empathy, commitment, respect, patience, and, above all, love. Their memories of his love will long outlast their grief. Services to honor the life and legacy of Allan Lipsett will take place Thursday, January 9 at the First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, with visitation at 1 p.m. and service at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. Contributions can be made in loving memory of Allan to First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, Music Ministry or Gift Trust.

Leonard Allan Lipsett

August 10, 1950 - January 6, 2020