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Leon Chmielewski

Leon Lawrence Chmielewski, 88, of Madison, died peacefully at The Guilford House on Sept. 13, 2024. He was the beloved husband of 63 years of Patricia Chmielewski. Leon “Lee” the son of Leon and Cecilia Chmielewski, was born in West Orange, New Jersey. He lived in Newark, New Jersey, until his early teens, then moved to Belleville, New Jersey. He graduated from Bloomfield Technical High School, majoring in aviation mechanics and aircraft, after which he enlisted in the United States Army for three years. Lee served in Korea as a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic and crew chief for 17 months. While in Korea, he studied judo with a Korean teacher. Upon returning to the U.S., Lee taught judo at a local YMCA. He received the Korean Defense Service Medal.

When Lee was in elementary school, he was the class artist. His love of art and design stayed with him. He worked at Learner Shops, Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Genungs/Howland, Norwalk, as display director, designing store and window displays for three years. In 1961, he married Patricia Vaccarelli, moved to Westport, and started college at the University of Bridgeport. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art education and continued his education, earning a master’s degree in painting and an advanced degree in education administration at Southern Connecticut State University. Lee taught fine art at Stamford High School and later served as chairman of the arts department at Westhill High School, Stamford. He was an adjunct professor at Norwalk Community College, teaching painting and art history. He was recognized by Congressman Christopher Shays for years of judging the Fourth Congressional District Art Competition for high school students.

Painting became a passion. Lee was awarded painting fellowships at Skidmore College in 1985 and 1986. For 18 years, he continued going to Skidmore for three weeks every summer to take part in the painting program. He has exhibited paintings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York City. His paintings are in collections throughout the United States, Iceland, Sweden, and Australia. He was a founding member and held the positions of chairman of the Deductions Committee, member of the Board of Directors, and President of the Stamford Arts Association, where he initiated a Spring Art Show for the art students of Stamford’s high schools. The show was held every year, eventually including art students from surrounding towns. Lee was an active member of the Westport Arts Center and also a member of the Madison Art Society, Mystic Arts Center, and the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts. Critics have called Lee an intellectual colorist. His lyrical paintings represent his impressions of the countryside and seashore, while the color in his abstract paintings is bold and strong. Lee was honored to win many awards for his work.

Lee and Pat lived in Westport for 45 years. They have two sons, Mark Leon and David Lawrence. Lee always loved sports. He faithfully attended all of Mark’s soccer matches, and all of David’s swim meets. Lee was an athlete himself. He loved playing tennis, running, swimming, and going to the gym. He was also a dancer. Lee and his sister, Julie, had taken tap dancing lessons while they were in grade school. The enjoyment of dancing remained with him. He and Pat danced too, covering a dance floor with foxtrot, jitterbug, waltz, cha-cha, you name it.

The family grew to five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Family life was important to Lee. He would pile the grands in the cart behind the John Deere and drive them around the yard. Holidays were always a joy when all the family gathered at dinner. Summers, all would enjoy the beach and the backyard barbecues. Upon retirement, Lee and Pat moved to Madison in 2005 and began traveling around the world and the US. They took advantage of Connecticut’s parks and beaches and the pleasures of New York City’s ballet, theaters, and museums. Lee joined the American Legion in Madison where he served as vice commander and chaplain. With his interest in supporting high school students, Lee ran the American Legion’s Boys and Girls Leadership Program, where selected students would attend a leadership program at Eastern Connecticut State University for one week each summer. He also volunteered at the Veteran’s Hospital in West Haven, using art to help veterans with PTSD. He loved his time in the service, and he loved his country. His time in the Army and serving in the American Legion was important to him.

Lee was predeceased by his sister, Julia Grum, and his daughter-in-law, Regina Chmielewski. He is survived by his wife Patricia; two sons, Mark Chmielewski (Rose) of Chicago and David Chmielewski of Madison; five grandchildren: Hannah Chmielewski, Owen Chmielewski, and Samuel Chmielewski, Danielle Chmielewski and McKay Chmielewski; two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Jameson John.

There will be a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at St. George Church, Guilford. Contributions in Lee’s honor may be made to the American Legion, Post 79, 43 Bradley Road, Madison, CT 06443.