Leonard “Len” Joseph Mlejnek

July 1, 1937 - July 31, 2022

Leonard “Len” Joseph Mlejnek, 85, a resident of North Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Cleveland, OH, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022 in North Fort Myers. He was born on July 1, 1937 in Cleveland to Joseph and Anna Mlejnek, both deceased.

Len graduated Cathedral Latin High School, Cleveland, OH in 1955. He then attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA for music education and graduated in 1959. Len served his county in the US Army and was honorably discharged in February of 1961. He had a long career in transportation/warehouse management ending in 1999 when he retired from American Greetings Corp.

He was a consummate percussionist, all his adult life. Along with the standard drum kit, he played and wrote music for Timpani, Xylophone, Marimba, Chimes, Cymbals, Bells etc. If it was a percussion instrument, he could play it. Musical genres he enjoyed playing included small combo bands, “The Suns” and “The Lenny Mills Orchestra.” Larger Regional orchestras he played in included the Pittsburgh Symphony of Pittsburgh, PA and the West Side Philharmonic of Cleveland, OH. Specialty groups included the German American Society Band “Hafenkapelle” based in Cape Coral, FL and the Dixieland Jazz band, “The Tamiami Tailgators”.

Len enjoyed bowling and golf and was in leagues of each sport for decades, giving them up only when he was physically unable to continue. He never met a stranger, loved dogs and had an optimistic enthusiasm for life that he embraced until the end.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Mlejnek of North Fort Myers, FL; son, Raymond Mlejnek (Melanie), daughter, E. Anastasia White; and grandson, Robert Mlejnek.

Len was preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years, Patricia (Patty) Johnson; and second wife of 9 years, Elsa Jean Vanderzyden-Brown.

A celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second St, Fort Myers, FL 33901. There will not be a reception to follow.

Contributions in memory of Len Mlejnek are suggested to Brookes Legacy Animal Rescue, PO Box 990255, Naples FL 34116  https://www.brookeslegacyanimalrescue.org/about_us

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with his final care.

Guestbook

  1. Pat Coughlin Mawson Aug 5, 2022 at 10:50 am

    Anastasia & family – Although I only met your father, Len, once on his visit to Washington a few years ago, I was impressed by his outgoing and optimistic nature! You were so lucky to have him as your father! He led a full life and will be missed by all! I love you 💜. Pat

  2. Don and Dottie Bressette Aug 5, 2022 at 3:11 pm

    Barbara, we are so sorry to hear of Lenny’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family.

  3. Charnell Downing Aug 5, 2022 at 3:36 pm

    I knew Lennie from Swan Lake. I met him when he said he would play in our annual talent show. He was always happy and friendly and we would joke about his “orange” house. Our park will miss him and his talent.

  4. Paula & James Horning Aug 6, 2022 at 10:13 am

    Ours hearts go out the family for your loss. Lenny was a kind and loving man and a good husband to our sister.

  5. Sharon Ebie Aug 11, 2022 at 9:00 am

    Barb, we will truly miss Lenny. He was such a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and family.

  6. Ed and Jeanne Miller Aug 11, 2022 at 9:25 am

    Barb, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We’re so glad you had this wonderful time together.

  7. Jessie Dean Aug 12, 2022 at 10:06 am

    Grandma, I am so sorry to hear this news. Lenny was such a loving man, and I loved seeing how much he cared for you. I am so grateful to have met him. All my love to you and all of Lenny’s family.

  8. Jack Malone Aug 12, 2022 at 11:55 am

    Sorry for your loss I played with Len in the g band for a long time always enjoyed having him there he will be missed.

  9. Mj and Chuck Lutz Aug 12, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Lenny and his family

  10. Ron and Carolyn Hagemeyer Aug 13, 2022 at 7:02 am

    Len’s friendship and musicianship will long be remembered. I enjoyed the opportunity of playing several gigs with him. He was a great storyteller, too.

  11. Shirley Green Aug 13, 2022 at 9:57 am

    Dear Barb, my condolences. You two were quite the couple.
    I enjoyed listening to Lenny tell me his stories of his music career.
    We will surely miss him.
    Praying for God’s love, to heal your heart.
    Love and peace, Shirley Green

  12. Ron Toth Aug 24, 2022 at 7:48 am

    Len was a CL classmate of mine. I wish I had known him better back then. From what his children have written, I got the impression that he certainly had a thirst for life and didn’t hesitate to drink deeply from it. May he rest in the peace of Christ. Ron

  13. john carson Aug 24, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Len was a classmate of mine. his always upbeat personality trait was infectious . you always good around him. his drum performance in CATHEDRAL LATIN’S BAND was always notable. he surely was dedicated to music. a great guy, you surely will be missed. john( jack} carson CLS 55

  14. Meg Price Aug 24, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    I played with Lenny in Hafenkapelle over 20 years. Fantastic percussionist. I know because I sat in front of him. Lenny, I will miss our chats during band rehearsal and your concern when Tim was diagnosed with lymphoma. Forever grateful to have played music with you all those years.

    Prayers & best wishes to his family

  15. Lloyd Battista Aug 25, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Lloyd Battista

    Any of us at Latin who got to know Len, will always remember him. I’m sure all those harp players will be thrilled to have Len with them. May he rest and play in joyous peace. Lloyd

  16. Anastasia White Sep 9, 2022 at 11:10 am

    Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments! My dad was so blessed to have so many friends.

  17. Roxanne Rodriguez Oct 6, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    Len was my boss at American Greetings. He was a very nice boss to work for. I’m glad he had a full life . Sending prayers to his family!

  18. Thomas McKernan Oct 12, 2022 at 6:03 pm

    I was Lens boss at American greetings. I will be 100 in April of 2023. We often ate lunch together and I have fond memories of our good conversations. I really liked him and looked forward to seeing him at work every day

  19. Earl Haug Oct 12, 2022 at 11:20 pm

    Had the privilege of knowing Len since 1971 and worked many years with him at American Greetings. A fine fellow musician, and gentleman, and he will be missed.

  20. Debbie Zienkowski Oct 13, 2022 at 10:21 am

    Len was an awesome man. I worked with him at American Greetings until he retired . My husband and I visited him a couple times after he relocated to FL which was very close to where my mom lived in Cape Coral. He will be missed dearly.

  21. Jerry Kessler Apr 7, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    I met Len in 1959, when we both served on the staff of Stonegate Music and Arts Camp in Long Lake, NY. Although I was just newly licensed, he let me drive his “55 Olds. He premiered my Bugle Suite for Piano, Marimba and Timpani with Cowbell.
    Although we hadn’t seen each other in over 50 years, he remained a dear friend, staying in touch by phone and mail. He would send me two holiday cards each year, one for Christmas and one for Hanukkah.
    A gentle man with a great sense of humor, Len loved his family, his friends, his music and his golf. I valued his friendship and will miss him greatly. I send my deepest condolences to Barbara and his children.

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