Leonard Babich

Leonard Andrew Babich, age 84, of Wanaque, formerly a Wayne resident of over forty years, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 8, 2020.  

Len was born in Passaic to Andrew and Rose Babich.  He lived in Passaic until he was about ten years old when his family moved to 32 Scoles Avenue in Clifton.  Len, who during his high school years was known as “Clem,” played on the Clifton High School basketball team and graduated with the Class of 1953. After high school Len continued his education at the Newark College of Engineering.  After a few semesters he decided to enlist in the United States Army with the promise of the GI Bill that would help with college tuition costs and help him further his education. During his service he was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Dix in New Jersey. After his service in the Army Len enrolled at Farleigh Dickinson University, where he would attend nights and weekends, to get his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

During his high school years he met a pretty girl name Mary Anne Cummings while riding on the school bus.  After a first date to Rutt’s Hut they would eventually fall in love and marry on September 1, 1956 at Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church on Orange Avenue in Clifton. Len and Mary Anne honeymooned in Atlantic City.  Soon after they married is when Len enlisted in the Army. Upon his discharge from the service they lived on Banta Avenue in Garfield before moving to Wayne in 1964.  They lived and raised their family at 40 Toms Lake Road in Wayne before moving to Wanaque Reserve about twelve years ago. They have enjoyed sixty-three years of a loving and devoted marriage that was blessed with three children.

During his high school years Len worked as a soda jerk at Johnsons Soda Shop on Passaic Avenue in Clifton. The rest of his work history would include an over fifty year career in the New York City printing industry.  Through the years he worked for Webb Offset Printing in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Rolls Printing in Farmingdale, Long Island, NY (which he would say was a horrendous commute), and finally he worked for Devon Lithographics in Brooklyn, NY before retiring in 2005. He was a long time fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.  In his retirement he enjoyed golf, bowling, helping out the finance committee for his building association, and walking his dog Wally. Most of all he enjoyed being “pop pop” to his grandchildren.  He was often there for them when they came home from school and loved attending their sporting events and dance recitals.

Len will be remembered as a very social guy who could be funny when you least expected it.  The Babich’s home was often the destination for parties with family, friends, and neighbors.  Whether it was trips with friends to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, dancing lessons, or several years in a local bowling league; Len and Mary Anne were always up for a good time.

Len was the loving husband of sixty-three years to Mary Anne (Cummings) Babich; devoted father of Pamela Sussman and her husband Bruce of Wayne, Melissa Krapohl and her husband Eric of Sparta, and Brian Leonard Babich and his wife Joanna of Pompton Lakes; he was the cherished grandfather of Jordan Sussman of Jersey City, Matthew  Sussman of Wayne, Emily Krapohl of Sparta, Hayley Sussman of Wayne, Amanda  Sussman of Wayne, Evan Krapohl of Sparta, Patrick Babich of Pompton Lakes and Jack Babich also of Pompton Lakes; he was also the loved brother of Stephen Babich and his wife Barbara of Delaware and the late Mary Ann Neider (d.2011).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wanaque First Aid Squad, 4 Melrose Ave., Wanaque, NJ 07465 would be appreciated.