Leonard E. Greenlief II – California, Pa.
Leonard E. Greenlief II, 72, of California, Pa., passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was born on March 21, 1951, son of Leonard E. and Margaret B. Mitchell Greenlief. Lee graduated from California Area High School, Class of 1969, and attended Valley Forge Military School. He retired after 36 years as a PennDOT supervisor and still enjoyed traveling all the back roads of Washington and surrounding counties. The town of California and its people (past and present) were important to Lee. He was regularly counted on to remember names, families, who lived where and other minute details about what happened in his town. Lee was a lifelong member of California Methodist Church and attended First Presbyterian Church of California. He was a 50-year member of the Monongahela Valley Lodge No. 461 F&AM, serving as trustee and chaplain, Uniontown Lodge of Perfection, Consistory of Pittsburgh, and Syria Shrine Caravan No. 9 Uniontown. Lee was also a member of the Brownsville Sons of Italy, Frank Ricco Lodge No. 731, Corvette Club of America and the Oldsmobile Club of America-Allegheny Rockets Chapter. He rarely missed a Saturday morning washing cars and catching up with his special group of friends at the garage in Brownsville. Lee’s love of cars started at an early age sitting by his grandmother looking out the window at the traffic on Wood Street. He knew all the makes, models, motors, options and what was available any given year. He traveled the country to see car shows and museums, but his favorites were Carlisle and Ocean City. Lee loved nothing more than spending time with his children and watching his grandchildren do anything and everything. He enjoyed reminiscing and sharing stories of his travels to 49 states, 10 Canadian provinces and most recently, his journey to cross into the Arctic Circle ending in Fairbanks, Alaska. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Diane; son and daughter-in-law, Franklin and Ashley Turosik, grandson, Theodore Donald, and granddaughter, Helena Marie, all of California, Pa.; and daughter, Lauren M. Turosik (Matthew Taylor) of Arlington, Va. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Merridy Greenlief and Wendy Greenlief Folmar; nieces, Allison Greenlief and Ashley Boidock, her children, Emily, Luke and Kathryn Boidock; nephew, Adam Greenlief; and favorite cousin, Joan Rush Rigsbee. In addition to his parents, Lee was predeceased by his brothers, John E. Greenlief in 2018 and Brian M. Greenlief in 2007. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday until the time of the service officiated by the Reverend Dr. Grafton Eliason. Masonic services will be conducted in the funeral home at 7 p.m. Thursday. Interment will be private at Howe Cemetery in Coal Center, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lee’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 303 Fourth St., California, PA 15419. Condolences to Lee can be made online at marshallmarrafuneralhome.com.
