Submitted by: Dan Rich

John A. Leszcz

Oct. 1, 1917 - March 29, 2001

South Bend Tribune 4/1/2001

Johnny "One Game Only" Leszcz, 83, of South Bend, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2001, in Hospice House. Mr. Leszcz was born on October 1, 1917, in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong resident. He retired in 1982 as the owner of the One Game Tavern in South Bend. After retiring, he bartended at the F.O.P. #36 Lodge Home for many years.

On November 25, 1942, in South Bend, IN, he married Agnes Wieczorkowski, who preceded him in death on February 3, 1984. He is survived by a daughter, Charlotte (Shotsie) Karasiak and her husband, Hank of South Bend, IN; a son, Thomas J. Leszcz and his companion, Carol Bilinski of South Bend; two grandchildren, Bryce Karasiak of Bloomington, IN, Kalen Karasiak of South Bend, IN; two sisters, Evelyn Czuk of South Bend, IN, Rita Strzelecki of South Bend, IN; his special feline friends, Hooters, Scooters, Bimbo; and by his chauffeurs, Gerry and Delphine Glaser. A sister, Dorothy Kwieran, and a brother, Alex J. Leszcz Jr., preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2001, in St. Stanislaus Church. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, where members of the American Legion Pulaski Post #357 will conduct military services. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Leszcz was a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Parish, member of the Indiana Sheriff's Association, Special Deputy Sheriff of St. Joseph County, IN, and was a lifetime member of the following associations: F.O.P.A. #36, Eagles Lodge #435, V.F.W. #8748, Army/Navy #146, and was a 50-year member of the American Legion Pulaski Post #357. "Johnny was at heart an avid politician, campaigner, and advisor to potential candidates even though he, himself, never ran for public office. On weekends he could be found polka dancing to the music of the local polka bands, especially the Jim Deka Trio." No one was a stranger to Johnny. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County.