EVENTS. 1
  • Virtual Memorial for Thomas Leja

    May 16, 2020, 11:00 AM US/Central

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Lori Milanowski
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Thomas Edward Leja

December 31, 1951 - May 08, 2020

Figuring out how to remember and Grieve my Dad, Tom, in the midst of this Pandemic has been difficult to say the least. Not being able to gather with family and friends, share stories and grieve together has made this loss especially difficult. I understand the limitations and challenges of online...  see more

OBITUARY
Thomas Edward Leja, age 68, of Woodruff, WI passed away from complications of Covid-19 and cancer on Friday May 8th, 2020 at Arden Courts of Palos Heights (IL).    Born December 31st, 1951 in Chicago, IL to Edward and Antoinette (nee Halerz) Leja, who preceded him in death, Tom was raised on the southwest side of Chicago and graduated from St. Laurence High School.  He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in education from the...  see more
1,327 Visits

Posts & Photos

  • Rebecca Sonderegger-McKeen
    Rebecca Sonderegger-McKeen:
    May 16, 2020 · via mobile
    My deepest sympathies to all of Tom's family and friends. Lori, your Dad is smiling down from heaven with pride for you. I hope you and your family are surrounded with love, peace and light in the time to come. God bless you all.
  • Paula Behling
    Paula Behling:
    May 16, 2020 · via iPhone
    Lori, Your eulogy was beautiful, honest, and real . It touched my heart and brought me to tears . I have great memories of family gatherings of aunts, uncles, and cousins I will always treasure . May he be at peace . Love ,Your dads cousin Paula
  • Melissa Quan
    Melissa Quan:
    May 16, 2020 · via mobile
    Though I have never met Tom, I feel like I have through Lori. Through many stories and photos I have heard and seen of him he was a loving and caring dad. He helped shape one of my favorite human beings in the world. He gave me my bestie and I am forever...  more
  • Kali Eddy
    Kali Eddy:
    May 15, 2020 · via mobile
    I worked with Tom at Ace Hardware in Woodruff. (I actually think I knew him before I met his daughter Lori in highschool.) Tom was always quiet and soft spoken at work, but occasionally his joking side would come out along with his infectious smile and...  more
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Another great photo ... I guess I was taking the picture!
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Not sure of the occasion, but I love this picture of all of us.
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary ... the last celebration we were all together for before Dad passed away six months later. Instead of throwing our parents an anniversary party, we hired a limo, took them to Benihana's for dinner and drinks, and then...  more
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Tom opening one of his Christmas presents. We had a favorite, funny Christmas story that we just talked about during one of our last visits together. While I always liked to be surprised (and still do), Tom always wanted to know ahead of time what he...  more
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    And just chillin' ...
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Chillin' out with Mom.
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    More fun with Lori and Mikey feeding the deer. Lori, maybe this is the Wildlife Center he had such a love for?
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Fun with the kids and his brother-in-law Bobby.
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Tom teaching Lori how to fish. He went on to fish for many, many years and had a fishing boat up in Wisconsin.
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Tom showing off his head-standing skills in our parents' backyard!
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    Tom was always very athletic. Played all kinds of sports ... hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, etc. You can see what a great "physique" he had in this picture. One thing none of us ever did was learn how to swim. I think they were just going under...  more
  • Nancy Gallegos
    Nancy Gallegos:
    May 15, 2020
    I have a lot of fond memories growing up as the middle sister, with Tom being my "big brother." One of the earliest memories I have was going to church on Sundays. Mom would take me to an earlier Mass and Dad would stay home with Tom and Joe (Joe was...  more