Leonard John Kolodziej
Passed: March 22, 2019
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Leonard John Kolodziej
Passed: March 22, 2019
Obituary
Leonard John Kolodziej, age 68 of Goodyear, AZ died March 22, 2019, in Goodyear, AZ. He was born February 21, 1951, in St. Paul, MN to Leo and Lorraine Kolodziej. Lenny graduated from White Bear Lake High School in White Bear Lake, MN. His first job was at McDonalds. He would work his shift inside and then join his friends outside in the parking lot where they would gather and hang out. It was in that parking lot that he first met his wife, Joyce. They were married for 45 years – an easy feat, according to Joyce, when you are married to your best friend. Joyce and Lenny moved to Arizona in 1975. He worked as the locksmith for the Phoenix Elementary School District until retirement.
In his free time, Lenny coached Little League Baseball. He was involved in Little League for so many years that his baseball connections are far-reaching and he is known as “Coach” to many young men. He was the kind of man that would go out of his way to help others. He would do anything for anyone and he continued his habit of assisting others until his body would no longer cooperate. As kind-hearted as Lenny was, he also liked to pull off practical jokes. He had a train air-horn in his diesel truck and he got great pleasure out of surprising people with it! He loved to be out and about. Dutch Brothers became a favorite place to hang out with the music playing and all the people to watch. He would always see someone he knew and would strike up a conversation until it was time to “blow this popsicle stand”.
Lenny is survived by his wife, Joyce Johnson Kolodziej; daughter, Jennifer Kolodziej; sister, Lynn (Gerry) Strenke; brothers, Larry (Lynda) and Lyle Kolodziej; and his favorite dog, Zoe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Lorraine Kolodziej.
A memorial service will be held from 1:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338.
“Say bye!”
7 responses to Leonard John Kolodziej
Mark Olson says:
April 1, 2019
This pale blue dot will be a lesser place without a Lenny Kolodziej to liven things up…..
Joe and Deanne Torres says:
April 1, 2019
Joyce and Jennifer,
We are so sorry for your loss! We know you have so many memories to look back on to make you smile during this hard time. We are praying for you during this transition.
Linda says:
April 1, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Words are just not adequate. So many awesome times and experiences at the lake which we will never forget. Missing and loving you until we see you again. Linda and Jeff
Patsy Blackham says:
April 1, 2019
Loved & will miss him so much. He was always there to help. Prayers for you, Joyce & Jen. Know you have good memories to look back on. Bless you both.
Amanda Kldjian - Mandy de Beyer - Lenny's Aussie Friend. says:
April 2, 2019
I’ll never meet another Lenny. One of a kind super generous man with time for all.
A Father figure to so many, I’m not even going to try giving that list a number.
Always up for a laugh and or trouble…lol.
Wise, who am I to annoy now with my silly questions?
I’ll never stop thinking of you and the crazy shenanigans we got up to in the very short time I grew to love you.
You were my American dad, big brother, side kick (depending on which one of us was driving), fellow trouble maker and best mate.