Leon Drezek

DREZEK, LEON C., 60, passed away after a short but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family, on February 6, 2012. Son of the late Joseph "Jack" Drezek and the late Helen Drezek and brother of the late Roger Drezek, Leon was born in New Britain, CT. A resident of St. Mary's, GA, and Washington, D.C., he had deep ties to Rhode Island, beginning as a student at Providence College (Class of 1973) and including time in Providence, Little Compton, and Cranston over the course of his career. He dedicated his professional life to state and federal law enforcement. Leon began his career in 1975 as a Probation Officer in Norwich, CT and hired on as a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in 1980. Leon's duty stations included Newport, RI and multiple assignments in the Washington, DC area. Leon ultimately retired in 2002 as the Resident-Agent-in-Charge of the Boston office for the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI). After retirement, Leon had the unique opportunity to serve as the founding Executive Director of the Providence External Review Authority (PERA), the civilian oversight group for the Providence, RI Police Department. After leaving PERA, Leon continued to serve the US Government in the field of counterintelligence, primarily with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Throughout his career, Leon maintained a genuine enthusiasm for law enforcement and a natural gift for intelligence work. His ability to connect with people is evidenced by the out-pouring of emails and condolences received from those who met and knew Leon throughout the years. His love of country and dedication to its protection was rivaled only by his love of friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 39 years and high school sweetheart Marcella; five children Kate Drezek McConnell, Alexis Drezek Boley, Joshua Drezek, Craig Drezek, and Christopher Drezek; eight grand-children Elizabeth "Libby" McConnell, Alexandra Drezek, Sydnie Drezek, Kiley Drezek, Olivia Drezek, Caden Drezek, Samantha Drezek, and Colbie Drezek; and a network of loved ones that cannot be quantified. In accordance with Leon's wishes, a Memorial Mass will be held Friday, February 17th at 11:00 a.m. in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel at Providence College, Providence, RI. In lieu of donations, the Drezek family would like to encourage support of any local no-kill dog shelter or animal rescue league, in honor of Leon's many adopted 'rescue' dogs over the years.