Leonard Alan Sawosko

     Leonard Alan Sawosko, 80, of Washington Island, fell asleep in the loving arms of his family at home and awoke in the arms of the Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2022.

     He was born September 14, 1941 in Cicero, IL, the son of Edward C. and Anne D. (Grega) Sawosko. Leonard grew up attending Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and School in Cicero. He graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero with the class of 1959. Leonard enrolled in drafting classes at Morton Junior College in Cicero or “UCLA” as he often referred to it as.

     He was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Leonard’s service was stateside, one day short of heading to Vietnam. He was honorably discharged from the Army on June 1, 1965.

     Through mutual friends, Leonard met Patricia Anne (Kellman) Casey. They were united in marriage on December 27, 1970 at Oak Park Baptist Church in Illinois. Their marriage was eventually blessed in the Catholic Church.

     Leonard began his architectural career with R.R. Donnelley in Chicago, IL where he worked for a short time. He became an Illinois licensed architect on June 15, 1993. Leonard established (his own) Town and County Drafting Service just outside of Oak Park, IL and owned and operated that for five years. His primary employment was with Barclay & Associates in Oak Park. Together, Leonard and Pat lived in Palos Hills, IL and together, they were parishioners at Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills. He remained with Barclay & Associates for 35 years until his retirement in 2001.

     Leonard’s family “discovered” Washington Island through a friend decades earlier (in the late 1960s), and it became their seasonal home. They bought a condo in Tempe, AZ and would spend part of their year there and the other on the Island. In 1977, Leonard and Pat established the Albatross Drive-In restaurant located at the corner of Main Road and Detroit Harbor Road on the Island. They served homemade burgers and ice cream to generations of community members and vacationers. Their children, Leonard Anthony and Laura, are continuing the family restaurant. In 2006, Leonard and Pat built their primary residence on the Island. They have remained longtime members of Stella Maris Parish on Washington Island.

     Leonard’s children were everything to him. He provided for them, taught them, and loved them. Leonard was so proud of them becoming such hardworking, successful, and good people. After many years of long days in his professional working career, he found solace and cherished what remaining time he did have by spending it with family and friends. In that regard, Leonard was a private person.

     He will be missed by his family whom he loved so much: wife, Pat, with whom he was blessed to share nearly 52 years of marriage with; five children, Leonard (Erika) Sawosko of Washington Island, Laura (significant other, Paige Cruse) Sawosko of Nashville, TN and Washington Island, Christopher (Linda) Casey of Sun City, AZ, Mary (Charles) Cornell Antioch, IL and Washington Island, Patrick Casey of Orland Hills, IL; eight grandchildren, Tatiana, Sandy, Shelly, and CJ, Kacy and Katie, and Heather and Caileen; eleven great-grandchildren, Marlie and Kinslie, Brady and Lily, Brennan and Kayden, Christopher and Addison, and Joseph, Tommy, and Delilah; sister-in-law, Mary Rita Carey of Naples, FL; and other relatives.

     Leonard was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Bernard “Bernie” Carey; and other relatives.

     His life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 12:00 noon on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at the longtime Washington Island site of Stella Maris Parish (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1763 Townline Road, Washington Island, WI 54246) with Fr. Anthony Birdsall as celebrant. Leonard will be laid to rest on Washington Island in the Town of Washington Cemetery.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.

     Memorials be given in Leonard’s name for the people of Guatemala Medical Missions, (PAYABLE to T. M.-Rotary, P.O. Box 192, Washington Island, WI 54246), charity.

     “Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Door County Medical Center and Unity Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care given to Leonard.”

     Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Sawosko family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos may be shared with Leonard’s family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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