Leonard Wegman

Leonard R. Wegman, age 91, of Avalon and a former longtime resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Born and raised in Passaic, NJ, Len was the middle child of Frank and Emily (Boeglen) Wegman. After graduating from Passaic High School, Len attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts where he studied commercial art. Already as a young boy, his family knew he was artistic as he was often sent to the principal’s office for drawing and doodling in class. After graduating he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. The Army quickly learned of Len’s commercial and industrial arts background and they leveraged that knowledge by having Len serve at the Fort Monmouth, NJ Army Base as an instructor of reconnaissance photography. He would have preferred to be in Korea actually engaging in reconnaissance operations, but was considered to be of greater value staying stateside as an instructor. Len proudly served his country rising to the rank of Corporal from 1952 to 1954. He served an additional six years in the reserves. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Before enlisting in the Army, Len met a lovely young lady named Lorraine Sautner. Lorraine was in the drama club at Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Passaic, and because of his artistic skills, the drama club recruited Len to paint the scenery for a production. A friendship between Len and Lorraine began and grew. Once Lorraine graduated from high school, with her parents blessing, Len asked Lorraine if she would marry him. More than happy to oblige, they set their wedding date for June 14, 1953 at the church where they met. At that time, Len was still serving in the Army, but he was able to secure leave for the wedding and even a honeymoon to Niagara Falls.

After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Wegman made their first home in an apartment on Hope Ave. in Passaic which was owned by Lorraine’s parents. They were soon blessed with the birth of their first two children, Laura and Christopher. One autumn day, Len took his children for a ride to go pick pumpkins on a farm in an up-and-coming town called Wayne. Nearby he saw a sign for a new development with houses advertised for $20,000. His curiosity led him to take a look at the model. As the saying goes, the rest is history! Soon they welcomed their third child, James and the family moved into their new house located at 114 Andover Drive in Wayne. For the next 35 years, that was the Wegman home until retirement in 1996 inspired a year-round move into their summer home in Avalon, near the Jersey Shore.

Len’s first full-time job was with Marcheese Art Service in Clifton as a layout man for print publishing. He remained there until his request for a $5 a week raise was turned down. Undiscouraged, he started his own business in Passaic in the house on Hope Ave that he and Lorraine first lived in together. His first office was in the basement in a room that formerly served as a coal bin. During the years that Len ran Wegman Art Studio, Inc. he moved the business many times including to Clifton, Fairfield, and to Wayne, before winding up back in Fairfield where the business is still run to this day.  

Len was known for his love of golf and he frequently played with his buddies at the Wildwood Golf Club. He and Lorraine and their friends enjoyed a longtime tradition of golf weekends at the Mountain Manor Golf Club in the Poconos every Columbus Day and Memorial Day weekend. He loved daily walks on the beach where he was fascinated with the interesting bits of nature that he picked up along the way. During the holidays, everyone looked forward to the Christmas card from the Wegmans because it always featured a beautiful beach scene that Len had hand drawn. He loved to paint beach scenes and also birds that were native to the shore area near his home.

Len’s faith in God was of great importance and, in many respects, made him the man that he was. He and his wife Lorraine were original parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, near their home in Wayne. While there, Len was always involved in some capacity of service. He was instrumental in the establishment of the church’s Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and helped with the set up of the church’s K-8 school. He served as treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 108 and always enjoyed helping with the Christmas tree sales. When Len and Lorraine moved to Avalon, they joined the parish community at Maris Stella R.C. Church which was within walking distance of their home. For many years Len faithfully and happily served as the church’s head usher.

Len always had a heart for those faced with difficult challenges. As a member of the Wayne Elks, he helped organize and participated in a golf fundraiser to help crippled children. For years, through his business, he also sponsored a trip for the children and the nuns from the orphanage in Totowa to see the New York Mets at the former Shea Stadium. He bought all the tickets, usually picking a game that included a free giveaway like “Bat Day” or “Helmet Day.” He loved to see the reaction from the roving stadium vendor when he said, “I’ll take 40 hot dogs.” Then he’d tell the guy to send the soda vendor, and the pretzel vendor too. Down in Avalon, he Continued his charitable efforts supporting the Helen Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children.

Len was a super “Grandpa” and “Great Pa Pa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. At their home in Wayne, he and Lorraine had a big room in the house dedicated exclusively to ensuring that the kids had a great time when they visited. It featured all the latest and greatest toys that any kid could imagine. For he and Lorraine’s 45th wedding anniversary, Len took all three of his kids and their families to Disney World, and when they’d come visit down the shore, Len and Lorraine would take the grandchildren for the night so that his kids could take their spouses out for a kid free evening. Len and Lorraine made memories by taking them to a place called Sundays Best for “Beach ice cream.”   

Len was a very caring man who ironically didn’t much care about what people thought about him. Frequently when his kids were younger, he’d do things that embarrassed them, like the time he went into the former Rickel Home Center in Wayne and put a piece of safety orange colored string on his finger and proceeded to walk through the store with that hand in the air so his kids would always be able to easily find him. Or the many times he’d drive the kids to school and yell embarrassing things out the window.

Len was filled with a great sense of wonder about all that this world had to offer. He loved to learn about new stuff, like the natural things he’d pick up on those walks on the beach. He’d go out and buy books to learn more about them.

He loved traditions like 3 PM Happy Hour when he’d make a vodka on the rocks for himself and a Manhattan for Lorraine. Sundays were special so instead of vodka, he’d make himself a gin on the rocks with a wedge of orange. When he developed a bit of a heart issue, he asked his doctor if he could still drink. The doctor replied, “yes, two drinks per day” to which Len replied, “is that a prescription?” The doctor said “Yes” and, ever since, when 3 PM came Len would be known to announce, “Time for my medicine!” In his younger years, Len also liked to smoke a pipe. The smell of that pipe will always serve as a pleasing fragrance of remembrance for all who remember it. Rest in the peace and presence of God Len.

Len was the beloved husband of Lorraine, blessed in marriage for 65 years until her passing in 2019. He was the loving father of: Laura Bonadonna and husband Michael of Inverness, FL, Christopher Wegman and wife Maurietta of Caldwell, and James Wegman and wife Carol of Wayne; cherished grandfather of: Lisa and husband Jason, Carolyn and husband Kevin, Nicholas and wife Nicole, Amy, Kelly and husband Jon, Brian and wife Kloudya, and Daniel; adored great-grandfather of: Abigail, Teddy, Charlie, Leo, Mia, Emily, Katie, and Tyler; dear brother of: Raymond Wegman and his late wife Rose of The Villages, FL, and Howard Wegman and wife Dorothy of Oakland; and dear uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Len’s name are asked to consider:

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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memorial Processing

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105-9959