Batavia’s Leo Zucker: ‘He cared for everyone’
Aloysious “Leo” Zucker was a familiar face around Batavia, most notably around the Eastside Community Center.
Whether it was opening the building for men’s basketball leagues or setting up chairs for meetings, or driving the van to transport seniors to events, he did it all. In fact, family members say Zucker never thought of himself as a senior citizen, but rather actively embraced the mission of the Batavia Park District — that fitness and recreation would enhance the quality of his life.
Zucker died Friday. He was 92.
“He was quite a personality around here,” says Robin Soderquist, recreation supervisor for the Batavia Park District. “He added a lot of personality and humor to everything he did. He just cared for everyone.”
Zucker spent the majority of his life in Chicago. He married Louise Lennartz in 1948, and they raised seven children. Shortly after she died 19 years ago, he moved to Batavia to be closer to his daughter Patt Baumann, who now lives in Carpentersville.
However, he didn’t sit still for long. His involvement with the park district came after attending one of its trips. Once park district officials realized Zucker had his commercial driver’s license, they hired him to drive to some of their destinations. It was a role he knew well, family members say.
“He was most at home with a steering wheel in his hands,” says Patt, whose husband, Jim Baumann, is editor of the Fox Valley edition of the Daily Herald. She points to the many vehicles her father drove over the course of his life — a hearse before World War II, an electric streetcar and a CTA commuter bus for 23 years. He also drove an 18-wheeler, a cab, and even shuttled rental cars for Budget Car Rentals during his retirement.
“He was a wonderful friend to everyone,” says Lorraine Winter, membership chairman of the park district’s Senior Citizens Club.
One his favorite roles, family members say, was driving a historic trolley for the Batavia Park District through the village’s restored Riverwalk. Driving the trolley and welcoming visitors just came naturally, they say.
Zucker is survived by his children: Martin Zucker of Oregon; William (Alisa) Zucker of Oklahoma; Virginia (Robin) Gourley of Oregon; Kathryn (Mark) Powers of Wisconsin; Lawrence Zucker of Elmwood Park; Michael Zucker of Chicago; and Patricia (Jim) Baumann of Carpentersville; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 W. Main St., Batavia.