I always knew Leon as Leo. He lived next door to us at 138 Broadway in Jersey City for about 27 years or so. He lived there with Rose McGovern until her death in 1984.
I don't know much about Leo's life before he moved next to us. I know that he was raised by an aunt in North Arlington, NJ, but other than that Leo never spoke of his family. I didn't know of and never saw any other family members until after his death when they came to divide the spoils. He worked for Westinghouse in South Kearny, NJ for many years. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marine.
Leo was a big, quiet, reserved man. This was in contrast to his partner Rose who was very outgoing, and at times, outspoken. He was a nice man. In fact, he was a very nice guy whom treated everybody with respect.
Leo always smoked those big cigars. They were almost a trademark. And he loved polka music. Whenever we entered his house you could always smell cigars and hear polka music coming from his stereo. He was a good neighbor and family friend who always let us pick pears from his backyard tree.
Leo died alone in his house one day from an unexpected heart attack. My father found him a couple of days later when he didn't see him and you couldn't hear the polka music when you walked by the house. The authorities were able to contact some relatives who disposed of Leo's assets...and Leo. They had him cremated with no obituary, no viewing and no funeral service. They kept the money, sold his house, but left the body at the crematory. My family tried to claim the remains, but were informed that only family could do so. The family never returned any of our calls...
I don't know much about Leo's life before he moved next to us. I know that he was raised by an aunt in North Arlington, NJ, but other than that Leo never spoke of his family. I didn't know of and never saw any other family members until after his death when they came to divide the spoils. He worked for Westinghouse in South Kearny, NJ for many years. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marine.
Leo was a big, quiet, reserved man. This was in contrast to his partner Rose who was very outgoing, and at times, outspoken. He was a nice man. In fact, he was a very nice guy whom treated everybody with respect.
Leo always smoked those big cigars. They were almost a trademark. And he loved polka music. Whenever we entered his house you could always smell cigars and hear polka music coming from his stereo. He was a good neighbor and family friend who always let us pick pears from his backyard tree.
Leo died alone in his house one day from an unexpected heart attack. My father found him a couple of days later when he didn't see him and you couldn't hear the polka music when you walked by the house. The authorities were able to contact some relatives who disposed of Leo's assets...and Leo. They had him cremated with no obituary, no viewing and no funeral service. They kept the money, sold his house, but left the body at the crematory. My family tried to claim the remains, but were informed that only family could do so. The family never returned any of our calls...
I always knew Leon as Leo. He lived next door to us at 138 Broadway in Jersey City for about 27 years or so. He lived there with Rose McGovern until her death in 1984.
I don't know much about Leo's life before he moved next to us. I know that he was raised by an aunt in North Arlington, NJ, but other than that Leo never spoke of his family. I didn't know of and never saw any other family members until after his death when they came to divide the spoils. He worked for Westinghouse in South Kearny, NJ for many years. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marine.
Leo was a big, quiet, reserved man. This was in contrast to his partner Rose who was very outgoing, and at times, outspoken. He was a nice man. In fact, he was a very nice guy whom treated everybody with respect.
Leo always smoked those big cigars. They were almost a trademark. And he loved polka music. Whenever we entered his house you could always smell cigars and hear polka music coming from his stereo. He was a good neighbor and family friend who always let us pick pears from his backyard tree.
Leo died alone in his house one day from an unexpected heart attack. My father found him a couple of days later when he didn't see him and you couldn't hear the polka music when you walked by the house. The authorities were able to contact some relatives who disposed of Leo's assets...and Leo. They had him cremated with no obituary, no viewing and no funeral service. They kept the money, sold his house, but left the body at the crematory. My family tried to claim the remains, but were informed that only family could do so. The family never returned any of our calls...
I don't know much about Leo's life before he moved next to us. I know that he was raised by an aunt in North Arlington, NJ, but other than that Leo never spoke of his family. I didn't know of and never saw any other family members until after his death when they came to divide the spoils. He worked for Westinghouse in South Kearny, NJ for many years. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marine.
Leo was a big, quiet, reserved man. This was in contrast to his partner Rose who was very outgoing, and at times, outspoken. He was a nice man. In fact, he was a very nice guy whom treated everybody with respect.
Leo always smoked those big cigars. They were almost a trademark. And he loved polka music. Whenever we entered his house you could always smell cigars and hear polka music coming from his stereo. He was a good neighbor and family friend who always let us pick pears from his backyard tree.
Leo died alone in his house one day from an unexpected heart attack. My father found him a couple of days later when he didn't see him and you couldn't hear the polka music when you walked by the house. The authorities were able to contact some relatives who disposed of Leo's assets...and Leo. They had him cremated with no obituary, no viewing and no funeral service. They kept the money, sold his house, but left the body at the crematory. My family tried to claim the remains, but were informed that only family could do so. The family never returned any of our calls...
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