Leon E. Jankowski, 81, of Tinton Falls, died peacefully at his home Jan. 7, 2024.
Leon was born in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn in 1942 to Leo and Helen Jankowski. He graduated from St. Ephrem Grammar School and St. Michael’s High School in Brooklyn and was the proud president of his class. Leon also attended Ohio University.
During his high school years, Leon was a hard worker at Doc Calieno’s Physicians and Surgeons on Ovington Avenue. Leon’s father died when Leon was 15 years old and throughout his mother’s entire life, he was very supportive of her and his younger sister.
Leon was a Holmdel resident before settling in Tinton Falls. He was passionate about his four-decade-long career on Wall Street as a stock trader. During a summer break in college, Leon was hired by F.I. Dupont and began the very successful life he loved. During his career he worked for a few brokerage firms, including Drexel Burnham Lambert. He retired from ING Baring Furman Selz, LLC. He continued his love of the financial market and his interest in the stock market daily right up until the end.
Leon was also known for his strong faith in God and the power of prayer. Always a devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of the Parish of St. Mary’s, Colts Neck, and had also been a strong parishioner of St. Ephrem’s Brooklyn and Holy Family Union Beach. He was known for being extremely generous and quick to contribute and help others.
Leon loved his family and always made an effort to attend many family gatherings. Everyone looked forward to being in his company. He had an amazing sense of humor, always quick with an appropriate joke and story right to his last days. His humor will continue to bring smiles to the faces of those lucky enough to have known him.
In addition to his passion for his work and the stock market, Leon loved old movies and classical and oldies music. He was famous for blasting Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and letting everyone know when Laurel and Hardy’s “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” Abbott and Costello’s “The Time of Their Lives,” and the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” were being aired. Everyone looked forward to his phone call alerts.
Leon was patient, kind and very at peace with his life – an extremely special man.
Leon was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Helen Jankowski, and is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Arlene Jankowski; his son Blake Jankowski and his wife Melody and their son, Leon’s grandson, Aaren Jankowski; his siblings, Richard Jankowski, Arlene Montana and Helen Giannone; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation took place Jan. 11 at the Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Jan. 12 at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. Entombment followed at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of traditional remembrances, Leon’s family asks with gratitude that donations in his name be made to the Padre Pio Foundation of America, 463 Main St., Cromwell, CT 06416 or padrepio.com. For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Leon, please visit his page at holmdelfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the January 25 – 31, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
