Leon A. Gondarowski

Family and friends mourn the passing of Leon A. Gondarowski.
Lee is survived by Wendy, the love of his life, daughter Kathleen Maura Gondarowski, sons Lee Peter Gondarowski, Sean Gondarowski, adored grandsons Ryan Lee Gondarowski, Brendan John Gondarowski, cousins, and Valerie, Ross, Carol and Selina. Lee was born in Rockville, CT, on February 24, 1937, to loving parents Leon S. and Caroline Czerny Gondarowski. He attended St. Joseph's School, Rockville HS, the University of Connecticut and Eastern CT State University. Lee participated in ROTC at UConn, serving six years in the Army National Guard. He completed a Master's degree and 6th year certificate at ECSU. "Mr. G." took great joy in the development and well-being of all his students over 35 years in public school education. He particularly enjoyed teaching in the Title I Program. Lee had an unsurpassed work ethic, unwavering loyalty, generosity, and tenacity to succeed in all his endeavors. Lee was a lifelong nature-lover and conservationist. At age 69 he singlehandedly built a stone wall on his property. A proud and patriotic Polish-American, he remained bilingual his entire life. He ardently supported UConn men's and women's basketball for decades. In his younger days, Lee played a fierce game of tennis. More recently he could be found fishing at the Shenipsit Lake Association or at the TKB Polish Club. Lee and Wendy loved to travel, making friends everywhere from London to Cinnamon Bay, St. John. Lee had a passion for reading historical biographies/non-fiction, the arts (member, New Britain Art Museum), jazz and blues concerts. He also played a mean game of Scrabble. Lee loved being surrounded by the entire family every August on the Cape. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Lee's life will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 33 West St. Rockville, CT, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29th, 2014. Visiting hours are Thursday, August 28th, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St, Manchester, CT. Burial will follow in East Cemetery, Manchester. In Lee's memory donations may be made to: St. Francis Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 114 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105, or to the Wilderness Scouts of America, Inc., PO Box 807, Blairsville, GA 30514. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com


Visitation DetailsThursday, August 28th, 2014 6:00pm - 8:00pmService DetailsFriday, August 29th, 2014 10:00am, St. Joseph Church
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery