Slawko Lenyk

Slawko Lenyk, age 69 of Ringwood and formerly of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Slawko was born in Nuremberg, Germany following the Second World War and was one of seven children to Wasyl and Anna Lenyk. When Slawko was only five years old, his parents immigrated to the United States in the search for a better life and the “American Dream.” The family traveled to New York and came through the historic immigration station Ellis Island. Slawko’s family settled in Paterson, NJ where they remained for about six years until moving to North Haledon. While living in North Haledon, Slawko attended Manchester High School where he graduated with the class of 1970. Following his graduation from high school, Slawko enrolled at Lincoln Technical Institute where he studied and earned certification in Automotive Repair.

In 1971, Slawko felt within himself the urge to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. Slawko went through basic training at Parris Island, then was stationed with the 3rd Marines Division at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, Camp Pendleton in Southern California, and was also stationed in Okinawa, Japan. While in the Marines, Slawko’s automotive skills were utilized and he was placed in the Marine Corp Motor Pool. Slawko served honorably in the US Marines from 1971 until his discharge in 1973.

Slawko found work quickly after being discharged from the service with BFI Sanitation located in Elizabeth. Slawko worked as a mechanic for BFI for a few years when he purchased a Getty Gas Station (Lenyk Bros Getty Gas) in Wayne, NJ. Eventually Slawko sold the gas station and opened his own business Lenyk Automotive, which he was the owner and operator of more than twenty years until his passing. One of his oldest and most prized accounts was the United States Post Office located in Wayne.

As a young man still in high school, Slawko had a part time job at the local ShopRite in Fairlawn. There he worked with a young attractive girl named Peggy. It was the very first job for each of the two teenagers. The two hit it off great and quickly became “High School Sweethearts.” As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on November 16, 1974 at St Catherine’s Church in Glen Rock.

The newlyweds settled in Saddle Brook, NJ where they rented an apartment. They were there for a couple of years then bought their first home in North Haledon. While living in North Haledon, Slawko and Peggy welcomed the births of both of their children, Michael and Jennifer. As the family grew, they moved to Wayne, NJ in 1983 and remained there for the next thirty-two years. In 2015, Slawko and Peggy moved to Ringwood where they have been ever since.

In his earlier years, Slawko enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes. He enjoyed the taste of a fine cigar along with a glass of Sambuca. He took great pleasure in frequenting Atlantic City where he would try his chances at Roulette and often times leave as a winner. He treasured riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle with friends and family and began a yearly tradition of riding with all those who could, to Seaside Heights (at the Jersey Shore) on Columbus Day weekend for hot wings and pizza.

Slawko was a wonderful and friendly person who made friends wherever he went. He was known by his family as “Mr. Mayor.” This was due to the fact he always met people wherever he went and knew them by their full names. His automotive clients were more like an extended family than just plain customers. Slawko was a friendly easygoing guy who had an enormous heart and offered kindness to everyone he met. When someone presented him with a problem or difficult situation, he would always make an effort to comfort them with his calming tone and reassuring words, “Don’t worry about it.” He and Peggy enjoyed traveling to various destinations in the Caribbean by way of cruise ships. Their favorite place to visit was clearly the island of Bermuda. Over the years, Slawko and his family would vacation at Ocean Beach at the Jersey Shore where they owned a summer home. Over the years, Slawko owned a Chevy Corvette and a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. He was proud to be a two time cancer survivor and donated to Hackensack Cancer Center and also supported the PAL in the Township of Wayne

Aside from all of Slawko’s talents, hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Slawko than providing for and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He spoiled his grandchildren to no end and it earned him the affectionate title “Papa.” Whenever or wherever his grandchildren had a recital, school play, or sporting event, Slawko was always there. He was truly a devoted father and grandfather. He and his wife Peggy treasured forty-eight years of loving and loyal marriage together. Slawko was a very special individual and will be sorely missed by his family and friends alike.

Slawko is survived by his wife Peggy (nee Schatmeyer) of Ringwood, NJ, daughter Jennifer Ness and her husband Shawn of West Milford, NJ, son Michael Lenyk and his wife Joelene of Ringwood, NJ, three grandchildren, Allison Lenyk, Lauren Lenyk and Ethan Ness , two sisters; Lesia Frawley and her husband Ray of South Seaside Park, NJ, and Orisia Dwyer of Wayne NJ, and two brothers; Igor Lenyk and his wife Diana of Ocala, FL, and Wasyl Lenyk and his wife Vivian of Randolph, NJ. Slawko was predeceased by his brother Miron Lenyk only a week prior to his own passing.