A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Leo Raymond Green
His last name at birth was Zielonkiewicz. Presumably his name changed to Green at the same time as his parents, 15 Dec 1934.
From the San Antonio Express-News, 13 Aug 2023:
Leo Raymond Green
July 21, 1931 - July 25, 2023
Leo Raymond Green was born on July 21, 1931, in Ford City, Pennsylvania, to Mary and Leo John Zielonkiewicz. Leo was the second of five siblings: Patricia, Dolores, Robert, and Mary Anne.
Leo attended Ford City High School; upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He moved to San Antonio in 1949 and performed in the Air Force Band of the West. In 1951, Leo married Mary Jane Lange from Karnes City, Texas. They had four children: Leo Blaine (deceased), Wayne (stillborn), Mary Lynn, and Jeanette Kay. Mary Jane died in 2007. In 2009, Leo married Beatrice Rodriguez from Jourdanton, Texas. Leo had two grandchildren (Claire Elizabeth Wilson and William Blaine Wilson) and one great grandchild (Milo Jacob Wilson). Leo’s closest friends were Pete Rodriguez and Bob Lewis.
Music was Leo’s life. As a boy he traveled by train to Pittsburgh to study piano and cello. He later became proficient in other instruments. He was selected for Pennsylvania High School All-State Orchestra (1947, 1948), All-State Choir (1948), and All-State Band (1949).
Leo was a member of the Air Force Band of the West from 1949 to 1953. In 1956, he graduated from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. He received a Master’s in Music Education from Our Lady of the Lake College in 1958 and completed all major course requirements for a Doctorate in Music Composition at East Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin.
Leo shared his musical talents through performing, teaching, and composition. He played piano and trombone at dance jobs, circuses, rodeos, musicals, St. Mary’s Rattler basketball games, and many other events.
Leo was band director and Chairman of the Music Department at St. Mary’s University (1965-77) and was “Teacher of the Year” in 1968. Leo was Fine Arts Consultant at Edgewood School District (1977-80), teacher and Music Supervisor at Northside School District (1980-96), and Music Facilitator at Edgewood School District (1996-2001). He also taught private piano lessons in his home for many years.
Leo wrote and arranged music for students and performers of all levels. He was known for writing and arranging songs to match the unique talents and challenges of his students. Leo’s first published work was The Wayfarer (1960) in which he journeyed across an imaginary countryside. Subsequent works included innovative pieces for children, band, orchestra, voice, trombone and trombone choir, and piano. Leo arranged many local high school fight songs and alma maters.
Leo joined the Bob Ross Senior Center in 2007. He provided background piano music at lunchtime and special events. He encouraged many Bob Ross members to find their voice and sing for others. Leo was key in setting up the piano lab at the center. With the help of Anna Eng, Leo provided piano lessons and singing classes to anyone with a desire to make music. Leo was recognized by the City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Services with a Community Service Award in 2020.
Leo died on July 25, 2023, under the care of Holy Savior Hospice with his wife, Bea, by his side. A Mass will be held in his honor at St. Luke Catholic Church on Sunday, September 17 at 4 pm. A celebration of life will be the afternoon of September 22 at the Bob Ross Senior Center.
His ashes will be interred at Fort Sam Houston at the resting place of his son, Wayne.
The name on his death certificate is Leo Raymond Green. Cause of death says 70 year passive second hand smoke exposure with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He died at home (231 Highview Dr., San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX). Method of disposition is shown as cremation by Heart of Texas Cremation, San Antonio, TX.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
Page generated on 14 September 2024