Leonard Charles Rosky

Leonard Rosky, age 83 of Oceanside CA passed away after a bout with pneumonia on December 29, 2021. Leonard was born on April 27, 1938 as the only child to Polish immigrants in Bronx, NY. Leonard’s Bronx accent and attitude remained with him his entire life.

After graduating high school Leonard enlisted in the National Guard. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, where he was trained as a truck driver. His brush with history was in 1957 when President Eisenhower deployed federal troops to help with the integration of Little Rock Central High School of the first African Americans.

While serving in the National Guard, Leonard stayed in the Bronx and began his career with Conard Shipping. He also purchased a beloved 1957 Chevy Belair.

Leonard met the love of his life, Arlene Ann Osterberg while they were both serving in the wedding party of mutual friends. It was love at first sight and they were engaged 6 months after their first meeting and were married shortly after. His love for Arlene was so great that he left his beloved Bronx and they began to raise a family in Weehawken, NJ. As the family grew they moved to Lodi and then to purchasing their own home in Pompton Lakes, NJ. There they successfully raised four boys. Leonard worked hard to support his growing family as a truck driver and proud Teamster member. He primarily drove for Axelrod Dairy, waking early and making deliveries to supermarkets around New York City. He occasionally took his boys as “helpers”, exposing them to the trucker lifestyle, country music and their first cups of coffee. The family often spent their summer vacations camping up and down the East Coast. Leonard was also a fan of the writer Studs Terkel.

After their boys grew up and left home, Leonard retired and he and Arlene followed two of their sons West. They purchased their retirement condominium in Oceanside CA, just a short drive to the Pacific Ocean and the fishing pier. Leonard and Arlene spent their retirement exploring the Western part of the United States. They often took group bus and train excursions exploring the West. One of the highlights was visiting Mount Rushmore. In their later years Lenny and Arlene would spend time on the pier, while Arlene set up a chair and read books, Lenny would fish, but mostly engage the fisherman in conversation and his infamous one-liner jokes.

Leonard is survived by his wife Arlene of Oceanside CA, his four sons William Rosky and his wife Anne Zenger of Juneau AK, Peter Rosky and his wife Tracy Rosky of Wayne, NJ, James Rosky and his wife Sharon Rosky of Oceanside CA and Charles Rosky of West Milford, NJ. He is also survived by grandchildren Thomas Rosky of New York City, NY, John Rosky of Aurora CO, Heather Snyder and Randy Vitello both of Oceanside CA and great granddaughters, Sienna and Scarlet Snyder. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lottie Rosky