Leonard D. Szafranski

Age 82 of New Castle, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family listening to his favorite jazz musicians Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson on Monday, February 9, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born to the late Ignatius (Pat) and Emily (Hazewski) Szafranski on February 2, 1933 in New York, NY. He graduated from St. Hedwig’s School in 1947. He was a proud graduate of the class of 1951 from Salesianum at 8th & West. He lived by the school’s motto to the last day of his life “Tenui Nec Dimittan” (I have taken hold and will not let go). While attending Salesianum, he lettered in football (Captain in 1950), basketball and baseball. He was the first recipient of the Thomas McCann Trophy for “outstanding city athlete.”

After graduation he went to Villanova on a football scholarship. He left after 1 year to enlist in the U.S. Navy as a communications technician. He also played football and baseball in Guam and Japan and was honorably discharged.

Len resumed civilian life and joined the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) police department in January 1962. While pursuing his career, Len was also attending Wilmington University and received a BS degree in Criminal Justice. He was the first police officer from the DRBA to attend an 11 week, intense filled curriculum of applied police instruction at the FBI National Police Academy in Quantico, VA. Through his career with the DBRA, he rose to the rank of Chief in August 1991. After more than 33 years of dedicated service, he retired from the DRBA in 1993. He was a member of the DE Police Chiefs Council, the Salem County Chiefs Assoc. & International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Assoc. He was also an honorary member of Holloway Terrace Fire Company.

Len took a year off after his retirement but couldn’t sit around. He took a job with Joe & Ben Rizzo at their construction company driving trucks and working in the yard. In 1997, he joined the Rollins Corp. doing general maintenance work at the Brandywine Town Center.

Len was active in St. Hedwig’s Parish and its annual Polish Festival. He was past chairman and co-chairman of the festival for 26 years. He served as the first president of the Home & School Assoc. & was president of Parish Council. He also coached the school’s football team in the parochial league. He did many repairs and improvements to the school and church. He was instrumental in getting the handicap ramp installed at the church. For all of his service and dedication to his parish, Len was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2001.

He was very active in his Salesian community as well serving as president of the Alumni Assoc iaton from 1979-1981 and received the Alumni Service Award in 1986. In 2006, he was inducted into the Salesianum Hall of Fame for Athletics. Len also served on the Sports Banquet Committee & Board of Directors.

Len was a devoted husband to his wife Joanne who predeceased him February 1, 2014. Together they shared 55 years of marriage. He is survived and will be dearly missed by his children Andrea Booth (Marty); Cynthia Szafranski; and Christopher Szafranski (Ann). He was DziaDzi (grandfather) to Elyse, Ashley, Amber, Kelsie, Laci & Christine. He was Pradziadek (great-grandfather) to Victoria. He is also survived by his brother Matthew (Elaine) and their family; brother-in-law Joseph Dianna (Carol) & their family; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is pre-deceased by his sister Emily Rutkowski and brother-in-law John; brother-in-law John Dianna; sister-in-law Maryann Dianna and mother-in-law Irene Dianna.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Season’s Hospice especially Cindy Vaughters and the on-call nurses who cared for and enabled us to keep our Dad at home. The Continuous Care nurses who assisted Cindy over the past weekend and Sarah who cared for him during the week days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday morning, February 14, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Hedwig Church, Linden and S. Harrison Streets, Wilmington, DE. Visitation for Len will be held in Church on Friday evening, February 13, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm and 1 hour prior to Mass Saturday morning. Burial will follow Mass in Cathedral Cemetery.

While flowers are appreciated, the family suggests contributions to St. Hedwig Church, Linden and S. Harrison Street Wilmington, DE 19805; Salesianum High School, 1801 N. Broom St Wilmington, DE 19802; Season’s Hospice 220 Continental Dr. Newark, DE 19713 or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

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