Leo Anecki

Leo Anecki, 95, of Lexington, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023.

He was born July 31, 1928 in Superior, Wisconsin to the late Charles and Josephine Anecki. He married Viola Mae Graves in 1955. She preceded him in death on March 21, 2016.

After graduating from Superior East in 1947, he had a college deferment from the draft and graduated from Superior State Teachers College in 1951 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in science with a major in biology. He entered the U.S. Army and his basic training was at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. During the Korean War, he was assigned to Sendai, Japan for 18 months. He had an honorable discharge in February of 1953.

Leo obtained a teaching position in science at Mather High School in Munising, Michigan in the fall of 1953. Besides his major duty of biology, he taught general science, chemistry and advanced biology. After teaching for 13 years, he resigned in 1966. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Leo taught human anatomy and physiology (A&P) at Cuyahoga Community College, Western Campus for two years, leaving in 1968. In the fall of 1968, he obtained a position of teaching in the biology department of St. Clair County Community College, in Port Huron, Michigan. His duties included teaching A&P, mainly for Associate Degree nursing students. He also taught botany and basic biology. He retired in 1993 after 25 years of service. In 1973, he was awarded the “National Teacher of the Year” after a recommendation by a college official. He retired in 1993 after teaching a total of 40 years.

From a recreation standpoint, he participated in ice skating, cross-country skiing, softball pitcher, hunting, fishing, dancing, photography, swimming, tennis, computers, bicycling, cruising, among many other things! His U.S. Army awards included a Certificate of Achievement in his duties and attending a CBR course (chemical, biological and radiation) in Gifu, Japan. In his teaching career, he was awarded two grants from the Arctic Institute of North America (Washington, D.C.) conducted in the Yukon territory in Canada. In addition, he was granted six stipends from the National Science Foundation.

During the summer school sessions, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Public School Administration (Superior) and a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. In addition, he attended summer school sessions at nine other institutes of higher education.

He is survived by two sons, Jefferson (Pam) Anecki of Croswell and Bradley (Virginia) Anecki of Elysbury, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Jefferson II, Haylee, Gracie, Bradley Jr., Lacy, and Brittany; four great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Margaret Anecki and Pat Ward; and brother-in-law, Don Graves. He was preceded in death by eight brothers.

Cremation has taken place. Inurnment will be in Lexington Cemetery, Lexington at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com