Leonard Lawrence Anzelde Jr. Jr.

Leonard Lawrence Anzelde, Jr.

08/27/1940 ~ 06/27/2025

Leonard Lawrence Anzelde, Jr., 84, of Schaumburg passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Donna with whom he had been together for 40 years. He is also survived by two sons, Len (wife Khouane and her son, Yannick), Robert (wife Missouri), and grand-daughter Isabella who has continued her grandfather's legacy as a photographer. Len is also survived by his former wife, Diane, of 22 years whom contributed to his and Donna's aid during Len's final months with us. While Len's final residence was technically in Streamwood, Len always considered himself a true-Schaumburger.

Len is a born-and-raised Chicagoan, a Steimetz graduate of 1959, in where his yearbook bio reads: "Len enjoys spending his time with the seasonal ball games: football, baseball, and bowling . . . Wright Jr. College and dad's business is waiting for the industrial young man . . . Hallguard." Len stood by his convictions in that he would spend the rest of his life enjoying football and baseball as a fan, and his able-life bowling as a league champion. You may add fishing and photography to favorite past-times as well. But, those were secondary to his love of driving an 18-wheeler, which he did for his dad's company, then for decades after as a Local 705 Union Teamster during the Jimmy Hoffa years, mostly with Grane Trucking.

In 1966, while working as a mailman, Len married Diane with whom he then had both his boys. Just a few years into his fatherhood they moved from Chicago to Schaumburg where Len would find a great suburban life for him, Diane, and the boys. There, Len would spend the next few decades with Diane and the boys during when the family of four would take trips across country visiting many states, camping by tent or pop-up, fishing trips to Hayward, WI where Len and Diane originally honeymooned, and even a road trip up to Toronto and Montreal. One fun family custom for them was to climb fire towers they would spot above the tree lines during their road trips. Len and Diane were a great team, especially when it came to Len's social endeavors, which lead him to serve on the Sheffield Park Homeowners Association in Schaumburg, and even to be elected as the Vice President of Chicago's own The Sons of Italy. Everyone knew and liked Len.

After 22 years of marriage with Diane, their paths would eventually split, which lead Len to meet the partner he would spend the rest of his life with, Donna. Remaining in Schaumburg Len joined the Schaumburg Camera Club, and continued his leisure of photographing birds, flowers, and lighthouses, then transitioned his hobby to a fine-tuned skill as a professional wedding photographer. Len retired from trucking in April of 1996 after almost 40 years of driving a truck – nearly one-million miles and without a ticket nor an accident. Then, a new chapter in his life opened when he took wedding photography to the full-time market. His mentoring under Dennis Walker, then networking with Fred Fox Studies, and Eddie Fox lead to a newfound career.

During the next few decades Len would find himself shooting weddings most weekends, acquiring clients impressively from referrals only due to his ability to work well with the brides as he became the go-to person during the very weddings he would shoot when problem occurred, such as drunk brides, etc. He knew his trade well. "AAA Photography," then "Photography by Len Anzelde" were respectable names in the Chicago industry. While Len would eventually retire from the business-side of photography (and just in-time as the digital era arrived), he would learn this new technology and continue to photograph: birds during his annual trips to Sanibel Island, lighthouses in Door County, flowers and Churches all around Chicagoland, and as a volunteer with the Schaumburg Park District. And, he would do all this with his partner, and fellow photographer, his wife, Donna.

In-fact, Len and Donna were each other's shadows, as each was rarely seen without the other. Whether walking the mall (Woodfield), eating out weekly at a local restaurant, attending one of his favorite places – St Mathew Lutheran Church in Barrington (w/Pastor Michael Brown), Wednesday Bingo at the Community Recreation Center (Schaumburg), or at the CRC where he also volunteered as a staff photographer. Pretty much anywhere, Len and Donna could always be found together. His "Toots," he would so lovingly call her.

Of course, Len spent much time at his second home: S.A.P.S. (Schaumburg Area Photographic Society) housed at the CRC where numerous photographs of his were awarded ribbons, he was honored with a Distinguish Service Award, and where he dedicated years of effort to help build the club to be widely recognized and a contender to even CACCA. There, he served in many positions – and, no position was too simple or complex for him. Whether making the coffee, serving as liaison, or in the role of President – he enjoyed them all.

And, if you didn't see Len at any of those places he frequented so often, then you could find him at the home of his forever-friends from childhood, Kenny and Marcy Hill, chatting-away, or perhaps sitting in-front of the fireplace in the lobby of the Clarendale of Addison with the other two "Musketeers," Santo and Joe, … or sitting with Donna having a coffee at a local Dunkin' Donuts at the corners of Schaumburg and Plum Grove. or more recently on Golf at the intersection of 58 & 72.

While the final four years challenged him with Leukemia, I would say that he would ultimately win the fight, since he always found ways to enjoy his time here - with hobbies, family, and friends. Yes. He won. Because through it all, thick and thin, he did it his way.