Leon Elmer Glende

Leon Elmer Glende, known by many as "Sonny", of Springfield, Massachusetts and formerly of Enfield, Connecticut, passed from his earthly journey to eternal rest on August 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Leon was born June 8, 1932 to the late Elmer and Anna (Przybylski) Glende of Winona, Minnesota. Leon had a lively childhood growing up in Winona. He joined the Air Force in 1949 and served during the Korean War where he was stationed in Westover. At the end of his service he started working at Hamilton Standard where a coworker introduced him to his dream girl, Virginia (Ginger). He married her in 1958 and they have four beautiful children together. Leon retired from Hamilton after 36 years in 1992. He spent his retirement playing golf, bowling, and playing cribbage and bingo with his friends at Sixteen Acres. He enjoyed watching the UConn Huskies basketball games and getting to attend five Final Fours. Leon also loved going to casinos and visiting Las Vegas, as well as traveling the world in his 80s, where he visited Europe, Iceland, Alaska, and many other places. He lived a long and fulfilled life, and will be truly missed by many. He is survived by his loving children: Edward Glende and wife Lora of Nashville, Tennessee; Leah Glende and husband Kenneth Bobinski of Farmington, Connecticut; Kara Albert and husband Charles of Enfield, Connecticut; Kurt Glende and wife Joanne of Enfield, Connecticut. Leon leaves behind his two beloved grandsons: Nicholas Glende and Ryan Albert. He is also survived by his younger sister Marjorie (Midge) Golish, his nieces and nephews, and his honorary daughter, Mary Hughes, who was with him along the way. Leon is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Virginia (Ginger), his sister Phyllis Bambenek, and his brother Gregory Glende.
Funeral Services for Leon will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Relatives and friends may gather with his family from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Browne Memorial Chapels, Enfield, CT, followed by a Prayer Service at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will then take place in St. Patrick's King St. Cemetery, Enfield, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leon's name can be made to the Enfield Community Cat Project, P.O. Box 614, Enfield, CT 06082 or JDRF, P.O. Box 1570, Hagerstown, MD 21741-1570.