Leon Sazama Obituary

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 1:53 p.m., "all good things came to an end" as Leon P. Sazama-Dad, Pops, Papa, Grandpa Leon-passed away at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving family at Colby Senior Care. His family included not only his children, but also the dedicated staff of Colby Senior Care and St. Croix Hospice, who became like family to him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Colby, with Father Arockia Amirtha Raj officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Colby. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, July 28, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, and again on Tuesday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Leon was born on February 16, 1937, in Marshfield, the son of John and Ida (Schilling) Sazama. On August 30, 1958, he married the one he would spend the next 63 years with, building a family and sharing his life, Patricia "Pat" McHugh, in Halder. Together they raised four children and created a life full of laughter, hard work, and unforgettable memories. Pat preceded him in death on October 28, 2021, and he missed her deeply every day since. Yet he continued to live life fully-enjoying cruising the country roads with his car, or the city streets with his electric scooter, or through the halls at CSC, attending family gatherings, birthday parties and breakfasts, celebrating holidays, and even going to a Woodchucks baseball game just three days before he passed. After every event, he would say, "There's still one person missing." We find peace in knowing he is finally reunited with the one he missed so much for the past four years.

Leon loved being in the woods-whether hunting, making maple syrup, or working as an independent logger. He thrived in the cold, especially in the early mornings, cutting and hauling wood. His sons will confirm: no matter how little sleep he had-or how much he had to drink the night before-he was up at the crack of dawn, ready to work… and expected everyone else to be too.

Leon and Pat owned and operated "Leon and Pat's" bar on Hwy N in the Town of Frankfort for 10 years, a place where lifelong friendships and stories were born. It's there he perfected his gift of gab and shared his wisdom and humor with everyone who walked through the door. You never knew if his smile meant he was happy to see you or if he was about to say something mischievous just to see your reaction.

He also drove truck for Abby Ag Line, which later became Melvin's, and later found great joy working alongside his son at Darnell Sazama Trucking. His final job was one he truly cherished: serving as the "Environmental Recycling Specialist" (a.k.a. the Dump Man) for the Town of Frankfort. Each Saturday brought conversations, stories, laughter, and the occasional found "treasure"-some gifted, some used as pranks-always with his signature smile.

Leon is survived by his four children, who all feel a little lost without him right now: Darnell (Doreen) Sazama of Athens, Darrell (Lori) Sazama of Stratford, Darla (Mark) Viegut of Colby and Dorine (Mike) Geiger of Dorchester; 12 grandchildren: Eric (Jess) Sazama, Sara (Craig) Yessa, Katelyn (Ben) Martyn, Michael (Terese) Sazama, Riley Kilty, Keenen Kilty, Brooke (Frank) Peoples, Tyler (Kaylee) Viegut, KyLeon Viegut, Brenna (Jordan) Walters, Parker (Riley) Geiger and Pierce Geiger; 12 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Charlotte (Leonard) Maly of Mosinee and two brothers-in-law: Gerald (Sue) McHugh of Stratford and Richard (Patty) McHugh of FL; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Also left to mourn him are his two beloved grand-pups, Daisy and Lily, who eagerly awaited his attention and handful of treats every morning.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pat; his grandson, Trent Geiger; his brothers, Sylvester "Pete" Sazama and James "Bud" Sazama; and his sister, Marie Umnus.

We will miss his daily phone calls, our morning coffee chats, his stories, his advice, and that unmistakable smirk. But most of all, we'll miss simply having him here. We know how blessed we were to have him in our lives.

As Dad said on Tuesday, "All good things come to an end down here. I have lived a good life with good times, but now I want to be with Mom again."

Thank you, Dad, for your support, encouragement, wisdom, love, and the countless memories.

We'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and residents at Colby Senior Care, and St. Croix Hospice-who became part of our family. He loved being with you and found joy in every moment spent there. Your compassion and care meant the world to him and to us. He appreciated you all more than words can say. For that, we are forever grateful.