Leo Markiw

Leo Markiw, of Lakeland, Florida passed away on March 19, 2020. He was born on October 25th, 1925 in Ternopil, Ukraine. When Leo was 15 years old, the Communists took his father Omelan in the middle of the night, and he never saw his father again. His mother had to raise him and his three siblings all by herself. In 1950, he immigrated to America and settled in New Haven, CT where he worked as a tool and die maker for many years. In 1958, he married Irene Belej and they were married for 46 years until Irene passed away in 2004. Leo was a member of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church choir and the Holy Name Society in New Haven, CT before he moved to Florida. He was an avid chess player who played in both Ukrainian and American chess tournaments. He most recently placed second in his age category in the Polk Senior Games. Leo was full of life. He loved to sing, play the guitar, dance and spend time with his family. He was always kind and gentle, and willing to help others. Leo is survived by his four loving children: Raissa Horstmeier (Joe), Daria Markiw, Maria Brown (David), and Omelan Markiw (Svitlana) and six grandchildren: Elizabeth, Gregory, Michael, Stephen, Maxim and Danylo.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2020, at 11 am at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 US Highway 98 S., Lakeland, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be kindly accepted at:

Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church
434 90th Avenue N
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33702

Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF)
2247 W Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
https://www.ucef.org
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lanier.care





 

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