Life Story for Leonard Dworkis
Dworkis, Leonard Myer, 75, of Ocoee, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.
Leonard was born on April 16, 1939 in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Myles and Freda Dworkis. After graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for 2 ½ years. Leonard’s service also included volunteering as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 198 of Ocoee, Florida. The Boy Scouts of America Central Florida Council honored him as Cub Master of the Year in 2000-2001. He also volunteered as an Assistant Scout Master and Committee Chairman for Troop 766 of Orlando, Florida and as a Camp Master for the Boy Scouts of America Camp La-No-Che in Paisley, Florida.
Leonard was an entrepreneur and had numerous businesses. He sold and designed ads for a TV Facts Magazine, built PVC furniture, and hung wallpaper. Through his mirror and photography businesses, he was able to showcase his artistic talents. For decades, he was in the retail industry managing at Child World, Byrons, and Uptons Department Stores. For the past 17 years, he worked for Lowe’s Home Improvement as a receiver, sales associate, and product service associate manager.
His leisure time was spent on various hobbies. He enjoyed mentoring youth, camping, woodworking, bird watching, collecting sports memorabilia and stamps, doodling and growing pineapples. He also enjoyed family game nights which always included hours of laughter and fun. His favorite activity was walking and playing with his beloved dog, Lady. His face and eyes lit up at the sight of her.
Above all, he enjoyed being with his family and friends. He may have led an ordinary life; however, he had extraordinary stories to share. He could tell a story like no other and would captivate his audience whether he was at home, around a camp fire, or at work in the break room. His sense of humor and quick wit brought laughter and smiles to the people in his life. At Lowe’s, for a departure from his daily duties, he had the honor to greet customers at the door during the after Thanksgiving weekend sale. He was known for the holiday ties he wore, a different one each day from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Customers and co-workers alike sought him out daily just to see which tie he was wearing. He always knew the whereabouts of every item in the store and routinely took the customers to whatever they needed.
Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, son-in-law, uncle, and friend. He touched the lives of whoever he met. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Susan; his children, Margie Thomas (Lane), Judith Weisman (David), and Andrew Dworkis (Shanae Spencer); sister, Phyllis (Steven); 2 grandchildren, Colby and Elex; son-in-law, John; 2 sisters-in-law, Bonnie (James) and Pamela (Leonard “JR”); brother-in-law, Jack; mother-in-law, Esther; 3 nieces, Lynn, Katherine (Donovan), and Sarah. He is also survived by many extended family members. Leonard was predeceased by his parents Myles and Freda; niece, Michelle; father-in-law, Kenneth; and brother-in-law, Jay.
A celebration of life service will be held at Winter Oak Funeral Home located at 1132 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, Florida 34787 on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 2pm. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Susan Dworkis, widow of Leonard Dworkis, to help cover immediate needs. In memory of Leonard, pay your blessings forward by doing a good deed or volunteering in some capacity to enrich someone else’s life.
Leonard was born on April 16, 1939 in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Myles and Freda Dworkis. After graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for 2 ½ years. Leonard’s service also included volunteering as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 198 of Ocoee, Florida. The Boy Scouts of America Central Florida Council honored him as Cub Master of the Year in 2000-2001. He also volunteered as an Assistant Scout Master and Committee Chairman for Troop 766 of Orlando, Florida and as a Camp Master for the Boy Scouts of America Camp La-No-Che in Paisley, Florida.
Leonard was an entrepreneur and had numerous businesses. He sold and designed ads for a TV Facts Magazine, built PVC furniture, and hung wallpaper. Through his mirror and photography businesses, he was able to showcase his artistic talents. For decades, he was in the retail industry managing at Child World, Byrons, and Uptons Department Stores. For the past 17 years, he worked for Lowe’s Home Improvement as a receiver, sales associate, and product service associate manager.
His leisure time was spent on various hobbies. He enjoyed mentoring youth, camping, woodworking, bird watching, collecting sports memorabilia and stamps, doodling and growing pineapples. He also enjoyed family game nights which always included hours of laughter and fun. His favorite activity was walking and playing with his beloved dog, Lady. His face and eyes lit up at the sight of her.
Above all, he enjoyed being with his family and friends. He may have led an ordinary life; however, he had extraordinary stories to share. He could tell a story like no other and would captivate his audience whether he was at home, around a camp fire, or at work in the break room. His sense of humor and quick wit brought laughter and smiles to the people in his life. At Lowe’s, for a departure from his daily duties, he had the honor to greet customers at the door during the after Thanksgiving weekend sale. He was known for the holiday ties he wore, a different one each day from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Customers and co-workers alike sought him out daily just to see which tie he was wearing. He always knew the whereabouts of every item in the store and routinely took the customers to whatever they needed.
Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, son-in-law, uncle, and friend. He touched the lives of whoever he met. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Susan; his children, Margie Thomas (Lane), Judith Weisman (David), and Andrew Dworkis (Shanae Spencer); sister, Phyllis (Steven); 2 grandchildren, Colby and Elex; son-in-law, John; 2 sisters-in-law, Bonnie (James) and Pamela (Leonard “JR”); brother-in-law, Jack; mother-in-law, Esther; 3 nieces, Lynn, Katherine (Donovan), and Sarah. He is also survived by many extended family members. Leonard was predeceased by his parents Myles and Freda; niece, Michelle; father-in-law, Kenneth; and brother-in-law, Jay.
A celebration of life service will be held at Winter Oak Funeral Home located at 1132 E. Plant Street, Winter Garden, Florida 34787 on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 2pm. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Susan Dworkis, widow of Leonard Dworkis, to help cover immediate needs. In memory of Leonard, pay your blessings forward by doing a good deed or volunteering in some capacity to enrich someone else’s life.