Leonard Stephen Pacholec

Lenny Pacholec MD, our friend, father, husband and brother, was an extraordinary soul. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the second son to Leon and Emily Pacholec on June 5, 1956. His grandparents emigrated from Poland to the USA and he was always very proud of his Polish descent and the strength it took for them to move to an unknown land. He attended St. Paul Catholic School in Jersey City where he first started to develop his relationship with God. As he got older, his father wanted to move to the Jersey Shore and on weekends, the whole family would go down to Forked River, NJ to help his dad build their future home. As he was about to embark on his high school career, the family’s dream home was finally complete and they moved to Forked River. He was popular in high school for his kind demeanor, compassionate attitude and his strong leadership abilities. He graduated from Central High School, class of 1974, and proceeded to Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. He also had a desire to help others in need and decided to embark on a career in the biological sciences, in which he received his Bachelor of Science degree. After college, he decided to become a doctor and attended medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. His hard work and determination led him to receive his M.D. degree in May of 1983. He then completed his three year internal medicine residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ where he met the love of his life, Barbara Brief, who eventually became his wife. They loved working together and decided to open up their own practice in internal medicine in Long Branch, NJ. Their devoted, loyal patients contributed to a very successful practice for many years.

He had an incredible respect and love of nature and his favorite hobbies included all outdoor activities. When he was living in Forked River, the home he helped build was located on a canal leading to the Barnegat Bay. His family owned a small boat and he spent many joyful hours boating, fishing and crabbing in the bay. When he and his wife started building their family, they would take their children, Lauren, who is now 23, Sean, now 21 and Kevin, now 18, out on the boat for fun family days full of fishing, swimming and sunbathing. He loved spending time with his wife and three children and was constantly introducing them all to new hobbies such as biking, kayaking, canoeing and hiking. He loved sports as well, playing soccer in high school and watching his favorite NFL football teams. He grew up a fan of the New York Giants, but also shared a love for the Philadelphia Eagles with his youngest son, Kevin. His two sons, Sean and Kevin, became captains of their high school lacrosse teams and he loved to attend every game, whether home or away, to photograph and film their many accomplishments in the sport. He also adored watching his daughter, Lauren, play soccer throughout middle school and attend her dance competitions throughout high school. He loved the more civilized aspects of society, such as going out for nice meals, going to see a Broadway show, or going to other events. He had a passion for helping children and became president of the Kiwanis Club in Tampa, FL where he moved his family to so his kids could have a better life living in constant sunshine. He is survived by a brother, Raymond Pacholec, a sister, Diane Pacholec, his wife, Barbara Pacholec, his daughter Lauren Pacholec, his son-in-law Stephen Partridge, his sons Sean and Kevin Pacholec, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Jane and Richard Brief and his sister-in-law Bonnie Brief Pauska .