Plan for the Future
Milton J. Lepski, a long-time Union resident, a WWII and Korean War Veteran, passed away peacefully at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. He was 91.
Born on June 5, 1928, Milton was larger-than-life funny, hardworking and generous, and loved his family friends and neighbors. He also loved children and they often referred to him as “Grandpa.”
Milton started Sharp Rite Tool and Cutter with his brother, Stanley in Middlesex, NJ. He then went on to drive tractor trailers, working for Navajo Freight Lines and Arkansas Best Freight Lines, retiring many years ago.
Milton loved his country, loved the US Navy and loved being a sailor, serving on the destroyer USS Ernest G Small DDR-838.
He had a unique knack and loved sharing a short navy war story or two. His stories may have been short, but they were timeless and listened to by all ages and will never be forgotten and treasured forever.
Aside from spending time with his family, Milton had a passion for the NJ Shore and loved spending time in Chadwick Beach. He always retained a loving relationship with all his shore neighbors and they meant the world to him. Milton was known by them as the “Old Man of the Sea” after he spent countless daily hours taking the neighborhood children up and down the lagoon for rides in his small outboard boat. The joy and smiles on the kid’s faces made his day.
Despite his many, constant medical setbacks and surgeries, Milton always took the challenge head on, never once complained and maintained a continuous, positive attitude. He always wore a contagious, calming smile and was more often concerned with the well- being of his family, friends and neighbors than himself.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anna M. Lepski; his son, Matthew Lepski; nephews Stanley Lepski, Peter Lepski and his wife Nina and Raymond Lepski and his wife Terry. He is also survived by many great-nieces and -nephews, other relatives and friends. He was pre-deceased by his father, Roman; mother, Helen; sister Antoinette (Lepski) Anton and his nephew Richard.