Leo Woods - 1983
Leo Edward Laskowski was born May 25, 1930, at Albion, Orleans County, New York95, the son of Zigmont Laskowski and Marion Tomelka. Leo's parents were first generation Americans, their parents having immigrated from Germany and Poland in the 1880s and settled in Orleans County, New York.
Antone and Victoria Laskowski settled in Albion, New York. Their son Sigismund was born there on September 24, 189678. In 1910, Anthony was working as a laborer in a Stone quarry and Victoria laundress, working out of their home96. Then Anthony died in 191295. In 1915, Zigmont was living with his mother97, but soon thereafter he enlisted in the Army and served in World War I. After the war, he became a moulder. Traditionally a moulder shaped bread loaves before they were baked. However, the term was later used more broadly.
On August 15, 1921, Zigmont married Marion Tomelka98.
James and Julia Tomelka settled in Ridgway, New York, a small town about 12 miles east of Albion. Marion was born on August 11, 189978, the youngest of five children. James died in 1903 and Julia died in 190978, leaving their five children. The 1910 Census shows Edward Tomelka living in on North Street in Medina with three of his siblings, including Marion79. Their mother, Julia had purchased the property in 1904100. Edward was working in a Couch Factory doing upholstery, and Marion had become a stenographer.
Leo Laskowski was born at the beginning of the Great Depression, which must have made life difficult for him and his parents. The 1940 Census shows Zigmont and family living in Buffalo, where he is working in a General Motors factory and Marion was working as a waitress101. At 10 years of age, Leo was still in elementary school. The same Census records that in 1935 Zigmont's family was living in Pontiac, Michigan, presumably he was preparing for work in the General Motors factory101.
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After finishing elementary school, Leo entered the Buffalo Technical High School, graduating in 1948102. Leo's picture does not appear in the 1948 Year Book among the graduates, but his name appears in the list of Postgraduates, indicating that Leo graduated earlier and was pursuing additional studies102. Leo was a member of the '48 Basketball Team which had a very successful season losing only 1 game in overtime to Hutchinson HS.
On October 19, 1951, Leo's father approved his request to change his name69. The name change was finalized through Aetna Life Insurance Co., Harford Connecticut69. Thus, Leo Edward Woods enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force the same year. In November 1954, Leo received an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force and he returned to civilian life69.
In 1952, Leo married Joan Richmond. They lived in Boston and were together for 14 years before they divorced69.
On October 28, 1967, Leo married Faye Alice Faulring at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Boston, New York69.
Leo died on June 24, 2004, and is buried in St. Martin's Lutheran Church Cemetery69.