Leon Francis Jaworoski III

Leon Francis Jaworoski III, better known over the years as SKI, Dad, The L-Train, or Pop-pop signed off on this life on July 22, 2021. Leon was born to the late Leon “Sonny,” Jaworoski Sr. and Janet Gazo on January 12th of 1949, in Stamford Ct. L-Train, was larger than life and proudly assumed the role of big brother. Paving the way, leading the example of “family first'' to his surviving siblings: Michael Gazo, Valerie Morris, John Stone, Richard Jaworoski, and Linda Signore. At 6’ 2”, the L-Train was large in stature. However, more grand than that was his personality; simply put, it was magnetic! People were naturally drawn to him. This was proven by the steady parade of people that came for days to see the L-Train one last time before he said goodbye. Quick witted with a strong side of charm and stealthy joke telling skills is what kept people coming back for more. He had the ability to own a room like few others. He loved to laugh but more than that, he got his kicks by making others laugh. Which, in his presence, happened quite often. Whether you were meeting him on the tee box, out for dinner, at a doctor’s office or a random telemarketer on the phone, you’d often hear him say, “You want to hear a joke?” The L-Train or “SKI” as he was referred to in his younger years, was gifted with an innate herculean- type strength. This suited him well when he enlisted and became a member of the United States Navy. SKI traveled the open seas, learning trades that would serve him well later in life. Aboard the U.S.S. Kearsarge, SKI braved seas from California to The Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. The U.S. Navy equipped him with naval chants, a strong work ethic, “ride or die '' navy buddies, a love of country and the ability to be an early riser, which proved an unfortunate skill for his children later on in life. With a California sunset in the sky, SKI set his sights on what would become his bride of 52 years, JoAnne. Together, at 16 and 20, they took their combined savings of $60.00, packed everything they owned into a small beat-up station wagon that SKI had just tuned up and drove across the country to Stamford Ct. This would be where they called home, where they built a life, successful business and a family together. The L-Train continued honing his craft and became a master plumbing and heating technician. He had a gift for spatial reasoning and merged that with knowledge and impeccable work ethic. This triple threat flowed into Heritage Plumbing and Heating, a company he established in 1982. L-Train, the pipe master, along with his bride, the accountant, grew an incredibly successful business, which they had for over 35 years. The L-Train couldn’t have been more proud to share all he created with his late son-in-law, John Francis Russo, a soul he loved so much. L-Train took John under his wing; the two joined forces and worked side by side and successfully catapulted the business in another direction. In 2019, after 35+ years, the L-Train officially retired. The L-Train worked hard but understood it was equally important to play hard. He loved chasing birdies and that elusive hole in one. In his early years, he'd play on the weekends with friends; however, later in life, his partner would remain his forever bride. The two would tee off together no less than five times a week. Golf wasn’t the only thing the L-Train did for fun. Being surrounded by family and friends was what he loved most! In 1999, he purchased a log cabin in Vermont. Weekends were filled with snowmobiling trails, skiing slopes, and hot tub nights under a starlit sky. That, coupled with a roaring fire and a house brimming with the voices of family and friends was what brought him joy. In 2016, the L-Train traded snow for sand when he purchased a Florida house that he called home for six months a year. He shaved strokes off his golf game and his pool tunes were on point. He dubbed it, “His happy place!” Although the L-Train had both feet firmly planted on land, he preferred them nestled in fins floating in the ocean. The L-Train was an avid scuba diver. With over 500 dives logged between the waters of Bonaire through Australia, he’d seen a vast array of underwater gems. He took his love of the waterworld to a new level when he became a self-taught underwater photographer. He’d revel at what he captured on film. Then he’d spend weeks after, editing them for printing to fill the walls of his home. No other place excited the L-Train quite like this. That said, all the fish in the sea couldn’t compete with the love he had for Dennis Jaworoski, Jason Jaworoski, Tammy Russo, and daughter-in-law Patricia Jaworoski, the children that survived him. Albeit human, it’s true, the L-Train may actually have invented the very first remote control. He loved television more than most, he was a “Treky” at heart. However, in the early 70’s what he didn’t love was getting up to change the channel. This resulted in a cacophony of his children’s names throughout the house. That led to a quick pitter- patter of little feet only to hear, “Hey, could you change the channel for me?” Thus, the human remote was brought to life. With his inventive spirit stoked, and the navy roots at his core, weekends were not for sleepy headed children. The L-Train created a weekend wake-up call which he was delighted to use. Standing at the bottom of a staircase, in an officer like tone and echo would go out. He’d shout, “Reveille, reveille, all hands-on deck!” Which once again, resulted in the glassy-eyed, less quick, pitter-patter of little feet at attention. The L-Train would cast a smile and a cackle would boom from the flight of stairs below. The L-Train was a very proud father! He beamed with pride at his children’s accomplishments, who they’d become and the love of family he saw instilled in them. He’d jump at the opportunity to tell the world about them. His eyes would widen as he boasted about the massive number of cars Dennis sold in a week, the newest golf tournament and trophy Jason took home, how far Tammy could hit a golf ball or the impressive decor Patricia put together for his grandchild’s party. Each story may have gotten just a bit better than the one before. The L-Train might have evoked the old “embellish for the pleasure of the listener,” tactic a time or two. This stunt gained him the, “Multiply by two and divide by four,” reputation he could never live down. The L-Train had brute strength but it was no match for the way his grandchildren Dennis Jaworoski Jr., Sarah Jaworoski, Lilly Grace Jaworoski and Jason Leon Jaworoski, melted his heart. With their entrance in the world, the L-Train’s name changed yet again, transforming him into the beloved “Pop-Pop.” The 6’ 2” giant embodied it. He thought nothing about donning a wig to play “Sally” at a pretend tea party with Lilly or stomping his feet and straining his voice to become a “monster” to chase JJ with. The two would squeal with delight and “Pop-Pop’s” heart would be full. The love he felt for his grandchildren was palpable. Although the L-Train has left the station here on earth, the tracks he left behind will be felt by family and friends for decades. He has imprinted values, left behind endless stories, and solidified the idea that in fact, “Family IS first!” Family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, July 27th from 4pm - 7pm, with ceremony starting at 7pm at the Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford, CT. Interment will be held private. Please feel free to send the family a condolence, share your own L-Train story or a witty joke in the L-Train’s honor. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Leon’s name to: Wheel it Forward, Stamford Branch, a service the Jaworoski family leaned on over the last few weeks. https://www.wheelitforwardusa.org/donate-money. The Jaworoski family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support from family and friends over the past few weeks. For the safety of all those attending his funeral services, please wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. To leave an expression of sympathy for Leon’s family online, you may sign the guestbook at www.bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Leon Francis Jaworoski III

January 10, 1949 - July 22, 2021