Leonard W. Ziska

Leonard W. Ziska, 81, of Punta Gorda, Fla. passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010.

He was born June 25, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. Leonard was a veteran of the United States Navy.

He earned an engineering degree at Case Institute of Technology (Case Western Reserve) where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He retired from Emhart Mallory (Black and Decker) in Indianapolis as the director of engineering research and development and quality assurance in 1990.

He moved to Punta Gorda in 1992, and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and of St. Andrew's South Golf Club.

Leonard Ziska is survived by his beloved wife, Anne Ziska; four daughters, Louanne (Jim) Davis, Joni Gray, Carolynn (Todd) Ponder, and Suzi (Joe) Sobek; one son, David (Mary) Ziska; one step-daughter, Cathy (Mark) Bashore; one step-son Brad (Joan) Glock; 18 grandchildren; his sister, Alice (Charles) Miller; and his brother-in-law, Jim (Peg) Headley.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Tess (Sohack) Ziska; his parents, Joseph and Mary (Dinda) Ziska; and his three brothers, George, Albert, and Joseph Ziska.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carmel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the American Cancer Society.