Edward J.

Lenkiewicz

Ed, at the age of 92 years young, passed away peacefully on the 13th of February, 2020, surrounded by the gentle embrace of his loved ones in the comfort of his own home. He was the son of the late Antoinette Szczubelek and Stanislaus Lenkiewicz, immigrants of Poland.

Ed was married to the "love of his life," Florence Covino, of Chelsea, for 59 years before her untimely passing. Together they have 3 children: Paula Lenkiewicz of Chelsea, Joyce Dabene and her husband, Paul, of Weymouth and Edward Lenkiewicz of Chelsea, along with two grandchildren; Nicole Dabene and Paul Dabene, both of Boston. Ed is also survived by his sister, Jean Guilmette, and nephew Alfred Guilmette of Chelsea.

Ed was a lifelong resident of Chelsea where he attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School and went on to graduate Chelsea High School as a member of the Class of 1945. Post High School, he was immediately drafted into WWII by the Army Air Corp. and stationed at the Pentagon Building in Washington D.C. where he became an IBM operator.

After his discharge from the service, he returned to Chelsea to pursue the "love of his life," Florence Covino. He went on to marry her in 1949 and together they raised a family.

Ed continued working as an IBM operator for over 25 years at H.J. Dowd in Cambridge, MA until he decided to change his career. He was next hired by the City of Chelsea Water Department as a Water Meter Inspector after the Great Chelsea Fire of 1973. Ed worked for the City up to his retirement at the age of 65. He knew countless Chelsea residents as he was constantly seen walking throughout the city streets reading water meters. No matter where Ed went, he was always stopped, or waved to, by many locals who knew him as "Eddie the waterman."

In great physical shape upon retirement from the city, Ed decided to move on to help his son in his construction business. Everyday, for the next 20 years, Ed went to work with him until the age of 85. All of the customers loved seeing Ed daily and described him as a "true gentleman!" They were amazed by the unbreakable bond between father and son that Ed and Eddie shared.

Even though Ed lived his entire life in Chelsea, he was a great outdoorsman. He loved the ocean and the woods! One of his greatest pleasures was spending weeks with his son in the great woods of upper rural mountainous Maine. This was a tradition they carried on for decades beginning in the '60s and extending through the final months of his life.

Ed was the most senior member of the Chelsea Yacht Club where he enjoyed his almost daily "half cup of coffee" and conversations. Ed was a member of the Polish American Veterans of Chelsea as well as a senior member of the Polish Political Club of Chelsea.

Ed had to be one of the strongest men; he met every trial and tribulation that came his way with immense strength and dignity. His strength was unparalleled and evident right through his final hours.

Ed was well known to voice his opinions in life and he was always erred on the side of the underdog because of his true compassion and how caring of a person he was.

Ed was truly a family man, first, and he proudly stated that. He loved his children and felt great joy and love when his two grandchildren were born; he spent countless days with both of them as infants and children. "Grandpa" was seen by many walking hand-in-hand, going to the park to play, or teaching them how to count. One of his proudest days was seeing his grandson, Paul, graduate from the Massachusetts State Police Academy. A testament of his grandchildren's love was made evident as they never left Grandpa's side in his final days.

Ed touched so many people in his long life. Unfortunately, many of his friends and family have passed but the many that remain will sadly and deeply miss him. Ed will live on in their memories and hearts and he will watch down on them from Heaven where he is now reunited with the "love of his life".

"Dad" and "Grandpa" was truly a great man and there aren't enough words to explain the extent of love his family has for him and the amount that he will be missed.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be held on Thursday February 20th from 4 - 8 P.M. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, CHELSEA.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Funeral on Friday at 9:00 A.M. Followed by a funeral mass at St. Stanislaus Church, 163 Chestnut St., Chelsea at 10:00 A.M. Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

DONATIONS:  Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105-1905.

Late WW II Army Air Corp Veteran, Late member Chelsea Yacht Club, PPC and PAV Post 13 Chelsea.

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