1944
Leon
2022
Leon Thomas Kolanowski
July 28, 1944 — May 18, 2022
Leon Thomas Kolanowski, Kollie, 77, of Kingston, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
The son of Leon and Mary Reilly Kolanowski, Leon was born on July 28, 1944, in Nanticoke. He graduated from St. Nicholas High School in 1962 and earned a bachelor's degree at Penn State University in 1966 and a Master's Degree in Business Administration at Wilkes University in 1983.
Early in his career, Leon taught math and science at St. Nicholas School and was a sales representative for Beechnut. Until his retirement in 2004, he worked as a disability claims supervisor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Leon was a cherished colleague whose kindness, generosity, and humor inspired lifelong friendships among his co-workers.
A loving husband and father, a role model to his siblings, and a loyal friend, Leon always saw the best in others and remained undaunted by all that life threw at him. He was an avid reader of religion and philosophy, a fan of horse racing, and a devoted alumnus of Penn State. Whether at the Kentucky Derby or his local Wegman's, or Barnes and Noble, traveling abroad, or running a local errand, Leon enjoyed nothing more than striking up a conversation with a friend, family member, or employee. He considered everyone he met as potential friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Mark Thomas.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, the former Ann Marie Frank; his daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, David Hicks; his sister Rosemary and her husband, John Marschall; his brother Sean and his wife, Barbara; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Leon's family will receive visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of St. Nicholas at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23.
In honor of his generosity of spirit, Leon's family requests that any donations in his memory be made to the Leon and Ann Kolanowski Scholarship at King's College, Wilkes-Barre.
Share memories and condolences with Leon's family at mjmclaughlin.com
The son of Leon and Mary Reilly Kolanowski, Leon was born on July 28, 1944, in Nanticoke. He graduated from St. Nicholas High School in 1962 and earned a bachelor's degree at Penn State University in 1966 and a Master's Degree in Business Administration at Wilkes University in 1983.
Early in his career, Leon taught math and science at St. Nicholas School and was a sales representative for Beechnut. Until his retirement in 2004, he worked as a disability claims supervisor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Leon was a cherished colleague whose kindness, generosity, and humor inspired lifelong friendships among his co-workers.
A loving husband and father, a role model to his siblings, and a loyal friend, Leon always saw the best in others and remained undaunted by all that life threw at him. He was an avid reader of religion and philosophy, a fan of horse racing, and a devoted alumnus of Penn State. Whether at the Kentucky Derby or his local Wegman's, or Barnes and Noble, traveling abroad, or running a local errand, Leon enjoyed nothing more than striking up a conversation with a friend, family member, or employee. He considered everyone he met as potential friends.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Mark Thomas.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, the former Ann Marie Frank; his daughter, Cynthia, and her husband, David Hicks; his sister Rosemary and her husband, John Marschall; his brother Sean and his wife, Barbara; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Leon's family will receive visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of St. Nicholas at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23.
In honor of his generosity of spirit, Leon's family requests that any donations in his memory be made to the Leon and Ann Kolanowski Scholarship at King's College, Wilkes-Barre.
Share memories and condolences with Leon's family at mjmclaughlin.com
To order memorial trees in memory of Leon Thomas Kolanowski, please visit our tree store.
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