Leon Zengierski

Leon Zengierski

With great sadness, we report that Lee “Pat” Zengierski, died peacefully on June 6, 2026. He had a long life and was 94 years old when he passed.

Born on February 26, 1932, in Buffalo, New York to the late Leon and Lottie Zengierski Singer, he was known in the family as “Junior” and grew up close to Singer’s Gym which was owned by his father and uncle who were promoters and trainers in professional boxing circles. He was the younger brother of the late Mary (late Arthur) Zengierski Banasiak, who cared for him as a child. His mother was very active in the church, while his father trained many famous local sports figures. He was preceded in death by his wife Genevieve “Jenny” (Urbanski) Zengierski and her sisters, the late Mary Jane Urbanski Grey and Lorraine (late Daniel) Smolarek.

In 1956, he married Jenny Urbanski, and she affectionately referred to him as “Pat” after his father who was a well-known boxer and athletic trainer. Lee is survived by his sons Rev. Patrick Zengierski Jr. and James Zengierski (his wife, Sylvia Latorre, and daughter, Sophia Latorre-Zengierski) as well as his niece Christine (Buzz) Smolarek Bussler and nephews Jay Banasiak (his daughters, Bridget Banasiak Hughes and Heather Banasiak Phulean, and their children), David Smolarek and Dennis Smolarek.

As the child of a professional boxer, Lee had a lifelong interest in sports, watching and playing golf, softball, football, billiards and bowling from childhood well into his retirement years. He especially enjoyed playing basketball at home with his son James as well as coaching his minor league baseball team. While working in market research at OxyChem for over 40 years, he actively participated in all the company team sports, in addition to teams sponsored by his church, where he led the Holy Name Society for a few years at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

In 1990, he was transferred to Dallas, Texas where they were joined by their son James and his bride, Sylvia who gave birth to their only grandchild Sophia Danielle Latorre-Zengierski. In Dallas, Lee and Jenny entertained old friends and new family members, the late Dr. Augustin Latorre and his late wife, Dora, with whom they explored the varied cuisine and culture of Texas as well as year-round golf. He enjoyed all the major league sports in Dallas attending Cowboys football, Mavericks basketball, and Rangers baseball games with his family and friends.

Thereafter, another job relocation moved the family to Princeton, New Jersey where he helped James and his family establish their new home, contributing to a small downpayment with Dr. Latorre. Both Lee and Jenny loved walking their dog along the beautiful trails of Carnegie Lake, collecting seashells with their granddaughter near the blue ocean in Spring Lake and flying kites on the beach in Ship Bottom during the summers.

Nearing retirement, Lee and his wife returned to his birthplace in Buffalo, New York to help their son Patrick, in service of the Catholic Church.

A memorial service will take place at St Paul’s Church in Princeton, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a charity of your choice that benefits children.