Leonard Donald Bex

Leonard Donald Bex, age 85 of Warren, passed away at home on Friday, November 13, 2020 with his loved ones by his side. He was born on May 21, 1935 in Detroit, son of the late Chester and the late Helen (nee: Twarog) Bex.

It was many years ago that Leonard was saddened to bid his Maggie adieu, but certainly not before spending a loving & wonderful 43 years together as husband and wife. Falling in love in their early 20’s, Leonard & Maggie would eventually exchange their vows of marriage and begin a journey of love that would welcome 3 beautiful children into their lives,…the perfect “nuclear family” of the day. As Leonard navigated the waters of a loving relationship and the responsibilities of fatherhood, he never ceased in feeling blessed to have a helpmate like Maggie, the woman with whom he grew deeper in love with each passing day.

For his career path, Leonard was one of the countless many who chose the service industry as his bailiwick, and the field of plumbing & heating as the venue to effect his skills. Of course, the choice was made even easier by the fact that the company he went to work for just happened to be owned by his cousin. A proud and loyal member of the Plumbers Union, Local 98 for over 50 years, Leonard found immense reward and satisfaction in the shared brotherhood with his fellow members, and the fraternal ties that bound them together. He was always grateful for the “union friendships” created over the years, many of which became lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed making wonderful memories,…especially the countless occasions they spent at the VFW hall on Sherwood Avenue in Warren. Good Times!

When it came to some of what Leonard enjoyed in life, he was renowned for his love of cars and attending car shows,…especially when there were classics involved. Possessing classics of his own, everyone knew that Leonard was a true-blue Mercury Man. With 3 of them currently sitting at home, he was particularly taken with his 1988 Lincoln Town Car that looks like it just came off the showroom floor. He was always ahead of the curve when it came to his affinity with autos, and received a great deal of help and knowledge with each issue of Hemmings Motor News that he happily perused. An avid reader of the periodical, it was definitely a great source of information and enjoyment with each turn of the page.

Another of Leonard’s favorites was enjoyed sitting in front of the television while taking in the old westerns. It was movie watching at its finest and  a wonderful escape to the past when he was feeling nostalgic. They were rife with a lot of action, an actual storyline, and produced a host of incredible actors,…none-so-revered as the iconic John Wayne.

In these later years, Leonard had become quite the caretaker of his backyard sanctuary and the many birds who had made his yard their home. Hosting a variety of birdhouses that were gifted to him by family, it was important to Leonard that he stay on top of keeping his avian friends fed and their houses clean. Is it any wonder why they kept returning?! It wasn’t just a hobby, it was truly an act of love.

Yet of all that he enjoyed the most, nothing could compare to the love he held for his family,…especially those precious cherubs, his adoring grandchildren,…and, of course, his fur-baby, “Lulu” who provided him immeasurable companionship each and every day. Family meant everything to Leonard, and their presence made all the difference in the world. The laughter, the youthfulness, it all brought a sense of meaning to his life that words fall short in describing. He will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure.            

Leonard was the beloved husband of the late Margaret. Dear father of Cheryl Donovan, Karen (Rimas) Pikunas, and Leonard (Melissa) Bex. Loving grandfather of Jim (Kristin) Donovan, Alissa (Phil) Parlett, Alex (Karlyn) Pikunas, Lauren Bex, Austin Bex, and great-grandfather of Collin, Kelly, and Sofia. He was also brother of the late Archie Bex.

Leonard will lie in state on Wednesday, November 18th from 10:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Warren. Officiating the funeral liturgy will be Rev. Fr. Nick Zukowski.

Memorial donations are welcomed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  (www.stjude.org)  

Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan. 

Please share memories of Leonard at his guest book below.