Dr. Leo B. Czyzewski

Dr. Leo B. Czyzewski

Research Scientist

Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, 91

Dr. Leo B. Czyzewski, 91, of Cedar Grove, NJ, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020.  Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Friday, January 17 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.   There will be a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield on Saturday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. with military honors.  The cremation will be held privately.  For directions or to send online condolences, please visit our website at www.biondifuneralhome.com.

Dr. Czyzewski was born inYonkers, NY and resided in Nutley for over 50 years.  He earned a Pharmacy degree from Fordham University in 1951.  Dr. Czyzewski was a registered pharmacist in New York, New Jersey and Alaska.  He earned a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from St. John’s University in 1964, and earned a PHD in Biology (pharmacology minor) in 1972 from New York University.  Dr. Czyzewski was a Research Scientist for Hoffman La Roche from 1963 until 1980, and for Carter, Wallace in Cranberry from 1982 until his retirement at age 65.   He served honorably in the U.S. Army.  Dr. Czyzewski was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield.

Leo was a kind, compassionate and caring man.  He always thought of others before himself.  His devotion to family, faith and friends carried him joyfully through life.  He will be greatly missed.  He was a very caring grandfather to his grandchildren, David, Adam, Nicole and Rebecca.   Leo and Ann loved the Jersey Shore and spent many wonderful summers in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island while their children were young.  The Surflight Theatre, Bay Village and Holiday Snack Bar are all among favorite memories.

Leo loved gathering with family at Babcia's and DoDo's, and with friends on 'Newman Sundays' at the Calnan's and the Madigan's. He was a provider of great food, a tune on the piano for the festivities, and you would likely go home with your own piece of his beautiful pottery.

Leo was a true artist. He was a prolific writer, a painter, a potter and a poet.

He was a skilled and ethical Research Scientist in Pharmacology and also a true healer and guide—as many people sought his expertise throughout his entire lifetime—in search of remedies for ailments, to advice about big life decisions.

He loved studying the Bible and every manner of spiritual writing from teachers such as Emmet Fox, Eckhart Tolle, Rumi, Wayne Dyer and Frederick Franck.  He loved having spiritual talks about 'the ego', 'the personality', 'the now' and 'the cosmos', especially while out in his beloved garden amidst the raspberries and the rhubarb.

Leo loved Montana!  Leo and Ann Marie came out to Montana every summer for many years. Their favorite place to stay was the Broken Hart Ranch in Gallatin Gateway—in a little cabin right on a spring creek surrounded by the Hart's horses.  Many happy memories were made as Leo enjoyed dinosaurs and dancing with Ellen-T, gardening with Mark, rock hounding with John, and doing Tai Chi along the Gallatin River with Ann Marie.  Leo and Ann Marie lovingly attended Rebecca's birth, and so treasured being there for her first summer.  They have maintained a close and caring connection with their former son-in-law Mark Lamm.  They enjoyed 'town days' in Bozeman with dinners at the Co-op, good reads from the Library, visits at the Museum of the Rockies, and especially long soaks at the Hot Springs.  They made some dear friends in the Gallatin Valley over the years.

Remember, as Leo would say, "It's all part of the Big Picture!"

When asked how he wanted people to remember him, his response was, “A Person who was trying to help other people come closer to their creator.”

Whenever there was a choice, Leo choose kindness, following in large measure the teachings of the Dali Llama and Desmond Tutu on compassion, forgiveness, and making good ethical choices. In terms of his Christian faith, Pope John the XXIII was an important guide.

Leo and Ann Marie believed that we should try to live the present moment and have understanding and compassion for everyone—"because we are all God's children—each and every one of us".  Leo lived this, and they believed this to the bottom of their hearts.

He is survived by his caring wife of 59 years Ann (nee Solberg) Czyzewski; his devoted children Mary Malfitano and her husband Anthony, John Czyzewski, and Ellen-Thérèse Lamm; his loving brother Walter Czyzewski; his cherished grandchildren David, Adam and Nicole Maliftano, and Rebecca Lamm; and his precious great-grandchildren Sophia, and Amelia Malfitano.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

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