Leonard D. Sosinski

Leonard D. Sosinski, 98, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, in the arms of his children at Centegra Hospital- Woodstock.

He was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Bronson, Mich.  

On Feb. 6, 1943, he married his soul mate, Marie Francis Bonacci.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945.  A hero in the eyes of his family as well as his country, he was honored in 2013 for his service as a Pearl Harbor first-responder.

After the war, he studied nursing and worked as a nurse anesthetist at Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, until he retired in 1980 at age 65.

He was an avid gardener and turned his hobby into his livelihood after his retirement when he moved from Wildwood to a home he built for his wife in Woodstock. There he planted an orchard and grew produce and pumpkins. He was an avid Catholic and served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Ottawa. He was devoted to his faith and his family all of his life.

Survivors include 11 children, Christine (Robert) Lane, Michael (Cindy) Sosinski, Rose (Dale) Magness, Mary (Mark) Fuller, Leonard (Jan) Sosinski, Dr. Elizabeth (Val Podkowirow) Sosinski, Daniel Sosinski, Jean Ann Doyle, Elaine (Michael) Brya, Carol (Mark) Bitto and William Sosinski; 29 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

The visitation was held Jan. 23 at Justen’s Wonder Lake Funeral Home, Wonder Lake.

The funeral was Jan. 24 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland.