LeRoy R. Waszak

LeRoy “Lee” “The Waz” Roman Waszak passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the age of 83 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. LeRoy was the loving brother of Russell Waszak, Father of Gary (Lisa) Waszak, Brian (Lisa) Waszak and Laura (George) Doome. Further survived by 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Emilia (Durski) Waszak, by his wife of 45 years, Shirley Waszak, and by his son, Terry Lee Waszak.

LeRoy was born on March 2, 1942, and was raised in Milwaukee, WI. He was a graduate of Pulaski High School, class of 1960. LeRoy was a lifeguard in high school and after graduation, he became a paramedic and drove an ambulance. He boxed and sparred in his spare time and played racquetball at the Eagle’s Club. In October 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy.

LeRoy followed many of his dreams throughout his life. As a young man in his 20’s, LeRoy had hopes of becoming a firefighter. He was a Veteran Firefighter in the Air Force, based at the 440th at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

He joined the City of Milwaukee Police Department where he spent 30 years with the MPD. During his time as a Police Officer, LeRoy continually served the various communities of Milwaukee and always gave his best efforts to keep citizens safe. While on patrol, LeRoy once helped deliver a baby in the back seat of a squad car before 911 was available. He also ran into a burning home to save the lives of 3 people, not to mention he caught someone who jumped out of a 2nd floor window to escape a fire. LeRoy was the long-time writer of an article for the Police Department’s newspaper, The Badge, writing a monthly article called “It’s a Jungle Out There.” LeRoy always liked to make people laugh with the content of his numerous articles, and many times bragged about the success stories of his children and grandchildren.

LeRoy’s love of music led him to join the Milwaukee Police Band. He was on the drum line and marched in hundreds of parades throughout his career. LeRoy was a member of the band Blue Maxx with other Police officers. LeRoy was a founding member of the country cover bands WestBound and then Family Tradition, which included two of his cousins, Rich and Ken. The band would moonlight playing at numerous weddings, church festivals, and local nightclubs. He was a guitar player, singer, and constantly loved tapping his fingers on his steering wheel to whatever song was on FM106. He played drums in a pinch and kept a full drum set in his basement along with his many guitars, and music equipment. He also dabbled in playing his harmonica, tambourine and other stringed instruments.

After his divorce, he met Shirley through a bowling league and on January 15, 1980, LeRoy married Shirley in a little white chapel in Las Vegas. They traveled to Hawaii every March to visit her parents, and enjoyed a 2-week vacation through Europe early on in their marriage.

LeRoy was an avid hunter through much of his adult life and he harvested numerous deer including the big buck he had hanging over his fireplace. He loved to help Shirley with gardening and took pride in helping her plant numerous varieties of tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, strawberries, raspberries, onions and so much more. He enjoyed eating the fresh produce they had grown and nurtured in their own soil.

LeRoy adored all his grandchildren and NEVER missed a baseball or softball game. He kept a special pocket calendar to keep all the schedules organized so he could attend as many games as possible. When his grandchildren had games at the same time, he would split time going to half of each game so he could see everyone play. He always took video and pictures of them during the game and enjoyed sharing copies with the family.

LeRoy loved to create comical homemade birthday, anniversary, & holiday cards for his family and friends. You would always get a good laugh out of his cards. He really took pride in the “dad jokes” he used for the cards, and he loved to be the source of the laugh.

Before Parkinson’s started to slow him down, LeRoy also cherished his time at home cutting his grass, grilling, fixing anything with random supplies, socializing with neighbors, and especially enjoyed watching tv, including game shows and Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

LeRoy’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and friends who supported LeRoy with unwavering love and compassion during his final months. Lord, welcome LeRoy into your eternal peace. Comfort our hearts, heal our grief, and let his love live on in us. Amen.

Visitation will be held at the MAX A. SASS & SONS SOUTH SHORE CHAPEL (1314 Manitoba Ave., South Milwaukee, WI) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM until time of service at 12 Noon.