LOWELL – Leonard R. “Len” Jarek, age 82, a lifelong resident of Lowell died Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln following a brief illness.  He was the beloved husband of Donna M. (Zusin) Jarek, to whom he was married for 59 years after meeting as teenagers.

Len was born in Lowell on April 11, 1941, and was a son of the late Walter and Laura (Dulemba) Jarek.  He was educated in Lowell schools and graduated from Lowell Trade School.  Beyond school, Len was self taught in nearly everything he did, combining his curiosity for how things worked and natural engineering skills to build and fix just about anything.

Prior to his retirement, Len was employed for many years as a machinist by Wasik Associates in Dracut, and before that for 13 years at Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard.

Len never wasted a moment.  He filled his life doing things and seeing places.  He loved his home on Martha’s Vineyard, beekeeping, gardening and wine making – all of which he shared generously with his family and friends.  He kept a daily weather journal and could name just about any plant or flower.  Additionally, Len and Donna loved to travel together, taking many road trips including two cross-country trips and visiting over a dozen National Parks.

In addition to his wife, Len is survived by his daughter, Laurie J. Healey and her husband Thomas of Franklin; his two sons, Mark L. Jarek and his wife Lori Sylvia of Milford; and Scott A. “Bart” Jarek of Oak Bluffs; 4 grandchildren, Victoria Healey, Charlotte Healey, Matthew Jarek and Heather Jarek; three brothers, Walter “Sonny” Jarek and his wife Natalie of Billerica, David Jarek and his wife Beverly of Jupiter, FL and Russell Jarek and his wife Karen of Swan Point, MD; his sister, Elaine Riley and her husband Robert of Brookline; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Robert Jarek, Richard Jarek and Roger Jarek.

It being his wish, there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Len’s memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923/CareDimensions.org/Donate or Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, 111 Edgartown Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568/mvcommunityservices.org/donate.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell.  For condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com.