Leo B. Dembek

Leo B. Dembek, 92, of Gardner, died peacefully Friday, September 20, 2024, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after a period of declining health with his family by his side.

Born in Gardner on December 13, 1931, he was the son of the late Frank and Sophie (Morze) Dembek. He attended Gardner High School, and proudly served in the United States Army 1949 till 1950, where he received the Army Occupation Medal. Leo was a woodworking supervisor employed by F.W. Lombard of Gardner for 7 years until his retirement in 1990. He was previously employed as a supervisor by LZ Kammen of Gardner for 26 years. 

Leo was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at its Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. He was a member of Ovila Case VFW Post 905, the Trout Club, both of Gardner, Lt. Roger P. Warfield American Legion Post 373 of Baldwinville and the Otter River Sportsman’s Club of Templeton. He loved to travel enjoying his time at his home in Largo, FL and various other locations, and watching horse racing and his New England sports teams. Leo’s greatest joy was his family, treasuring the countless memories they shared. 

Leo is survived by his four sons, Raymond P. Dembek of Gardner, David J. Dembek and his wife Allison of Templeton, Terrence Beck of Fitchburg, and Peter F. Dembek and his wife Kathy of St. Petersburg, FL; four daughters Diane L Poirier of Orange, Linda M. Landry and her husband Richard of Gardner, Ann-Marie Viers and her husband Jeff of Newtown, VA, and Lisa A. Blanchard and her husband Bruce of Gardner; thirteen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Victor Dembek and his wife Ruby of Templeton; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Claire (Bouchard) Dembek, who died in 2011; a daughter, Jane Antognoni, who died in 2023; five brothers, Joseph, Chester, Anthony, Stanley, and Richard Dembek; three sisters, Francis Pardee, Jennie Collier, and Alice Ducharme. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA. 

There are no calling hours. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, New England Division, PO Box 1120 Framingham, MA 01701, or on their website at (www.donate3.cancer.org) or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284, or on their website at (www.heart.org). Please reference in memory of Leo B. Dembek.