Obituary: Leonard Galushko, 85, of East Haven

Obituary courtesy of Porto Funeral Home:

Leonard Galushko, 85, of East Haven, beloved husband of over 62 years to Eleanor Catto Galushko, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 13, 2024 at CT Hospice. Loving father of Gary (Colleen) Galushko and Andy (Mary Lou) Galushko all of Wallingford and Lisa (Greg) Schepisi and Tanya (Robert) Lockery all of North Haven. Grandfather of Victoria and Alexandra Galushko, Julia and Maria Lockery, Anna and Salvatore Schepisi, Isabella and Eleonora Galushko and the late Amanda Schepisi. Brother of Tony Awtonomow of White Pine, TN and stepbrother of Margaret Hranowski of Richmond, VA.

Leonard was born on February 7, 1938 in Dnepropetrovsk, Russia, son of the late Leonid and Adele Dorn Galushko. He grew up in Munich, Germany, a city dear to his heart. Lenny came to the USA, the country of his dreams, in 1957 at the age of 19 and lived in New Haven.

A true patriot, Lenny volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army in 1960; something he spoke of often with joy and pride. He married the love of his life, Eleanor Catto, in 1962. She made her journey to the USA via Italy and they met in New Haven not knowing they were born in the very same city all the way back in Russia. Their love affair continued for over 62 years. He then put himself through college and graduated from New Haven College (presently University of New Haven). Lenny is consistently described by everyone he knew as “the kindest and nicest man I’ve ever met”. He was a true European gentleman and was rarely seen without a smile. He worked in the manufacturing industry as a mechanical designer and engineer, fittingly finishing his career designing devices to ease people’s pain at Spine Wave Inc. in Shelton, CT. Lenny was a devoted, kind and loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. While he was a hardworking man, his main passion was spending time with his family. He was always present at all his children’s and grandchildren’s events. He loved hosting a party and having fun-Lenny and Eleanor were world class entertainers and their parties were legendary. A brilliant man, he was an avid reader devouring countless books. He spoke 3 languages, never forgetting his roots and he passed that down to his family. Among his many hobbies and interests were traveling, creating military models and building things around the house. Lenny will be loved and remembered by all.

His funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80), East Haven THURSDAY morning at 10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 11:00. Interment with military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Family and friends may call THURSDAY morning from 8:30 to 10:30.