Obituary of Leon Grabar

CHESHIRE - Leon “Lee” Grabar, 94, passed away Wednesday January 27, 2016 at Elim Park in Cheshire. He was the husband of Judith (Stone) Grabar. Lee was born September 8, 1921, the son of the late Vincent and Genevieve Grabarczyk. He grew up in Maspeth, Queens, New York. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he left college to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served four years, two in Europe. After discharge, he received a degree in Journalism from New York University. He worked for newspapers in the Midwest and New York before coming to Connecticut in 1954 to report for the New Haven Register. He became Chief Editorial Writer in 1969. After retirement from the Register in 1986, he wrote regular columns for the Cheshire Herald, Waterbury Republican and other papers. His column appeared weekly in the Waterbury paper until he retired from writing on his 90th birthday. He appeared on various television shows, including the MacNeil/Lehrer Report and Face the State. Lee was a loving husband and father who enjoyed gardening, had a heart for prayer, and a passion for music. He sang in the St. Thomas Becket Choir and the Cheshire Community Chorus. He played harmonica to the end. Lee leaves behind four children; Robert in Hamden; John in Cheshire; Kenneth and his wife Julie and step-daughter Samantha, in Cheshire; and Wendy and her husband John Fusari in Southington. He leaves several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters and a brother. Arrangements – Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 30, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Becket Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday January 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St.