PERTH AMBOY – Msgr. Leon was born November 19, 1929 in Perth Amboy, NJ and belonged to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption. He graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1947; and was inducted into the Perth Amboy High School Hall of Fame in 1988 for education and religious service.
He graduated with a B.A. degree from St. Basil College, Stamford, CT in 1952, completed theological studies and graduate studies in English and Drama at The Catholic University of America in 1956, earned an M.A. in Education at Fairfield University in 1962, and continued graduate studies in Education at St. John’s University. He was awarded a doctorate, honoris causa, from St. Basil College in 2004. He did not allow his years of blindness to curtail his continuing education, listening to some 800 books for the blind.
Msgr. Leon was ordained June 14, 1956. He served in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford for his entire career, 65 years. Msgr. Leon was an English teacher from 1956 to 1964; then, from 1964 to 1981, was the principal; and from 1969 to 1981, was the rector of St. Basil Prep School in Stamford, CT. Msgr. Leon later served as rector of St. Basil College, Stamford, CT; rector of St. Josaphat Seminary, Washington, DC; rector of St. Vladimir Cathedral, Stamford; editor of the Stamford eparchial newspaper, “The Sower,” for two decades; and chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford.
Msgr. Leon will be best remembered for his role in the formation of priests and the education of students who have become positive contributors to American society. He was known for his eloquence when preaching, teaching, and giving speeches, and for his part in making the eparchial newspaper, “The Sower,” a world-class Catholic newspaper. The parish enjoyed his engaging, often witty, speeches at banquets and his profound sermons. He was the first priestly vocation from his parish. Msgr. Leon retired from active priestly duties in 2008 due to health, yet continued to minister to friends and family until his death.
Msgr. Leon was the son of Thomas Mosko, whose parents were Leon and Alexandrina (Chowanec) Moszczar, ethnic Lemkos from Labowa, Nowy Sacz, Galicia, Austria-Hungary; and Mary (Suszko) Mosko, daughter of Antoni and Salomea (Pastuszak), Greek-Catholics from Dudynce, Sanok, Galicia, Austria-Hungary; both locations are in present-day Poland. The Moszczar, later Mosko, family was one of the first Slavic families in Perth Amboy, NJ, settling there in 1883.
Msgr. Leon was predeceased by his brother John and his wife Helen T. (Guido/Gajdos) Mosko, and three infant siblings: Adam, Thomas. Jr., and Mary Irene. He is survived by nieces Rosemary Mosko; Janice H. Mosko, who selflessly devoted a year and a half to care for him; and a nephew and advisor, John T. Mosko and his wife Pamela and their children Jonathan; Alexander, who is studying for the priesthood with the Philadelphia Oratory as Brother Joseph; and Elizabeth.
His lifelong devotion to service and duty, his whole-hearted dedication to the students and staff at St. Basil’s, his reverence for liturgy and the sacraments, his dignified magnanimity, and his forbearance with his serious health issues, all testify to a relentless trust in Christ throughout his life, one which was spent entirely in service to the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.
Funeral services have been completed. Interment is in the family plot at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption Cemetery, Florida Grove Road, Hopelawn, NJ.
