Obituary of Leonard Andrew Szpara

Leonard A. Szpara, age 87, of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Garden City, Michigan, died on Wednesday, November, 1, 2017 in Florida after suffering a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends until he peacefully entered into paradise. He attended Assumption of the Blessed Mary Catholic School on Lovett Street in Detroit MI. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He met and later married his “beautiful bride” Esther May (Gatt) Szpara on February 10, 1952. They had four children together and were happily married for 65 years. Leonard (also known as “Sperks” to close friends and family) worked as an over the road truck driver and later as a terminal manager for Central Transport for over 35 years before he retired. He and Esther lived in Garden City Michigan for 30 years and then moved to his current residence in Palm Bay, Florida in 1993. His family includes his wife Esther; sons, Leonard Jr. and Steven (wife Toni); daughters, Janice (husband Tom) and Shelly Crist; sister Charlotte Szpara; 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 9 nieces and 18 nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Josephine Szpara (Szkotnicki), and his brothers Richard and Andrew and sisters Adeline, Gertrude and Delphine. Leonard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend and had a unique sense of humor. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. Condolences can be sent to: Esther Szpara A Memorial Mass and  Celebration of his life will be November 16, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.  at  St. John-Neumann Catholic Church, 44800 Warren Rd. Canton, Michigan 48187 and followed by burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery and Mausoleum at 12:45 p.m. in Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48127. Military honors will be rendered following Mass. Arrangements by Ammen Family Cremation & Funeral Care, 950 Malabar Rd. SE, Palm Bay, FL, 321-724-2224. Please share memories and sign guestbook at www.afcfcare.com. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to either of : William Childs Hospice House 381 Medplex Pkwy, Palm Bay FL 32907 (313)434-8400 https://www.hf.org/outpatient/hospice/index.cfm St Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/give.html