Leonard E Tandul

Leonard E. Tandul- (1934 to 2026) 92 years young, was taken from us on July 10, 2026. After a brief illness, he entered eternal rest at Robert Wood Johnson Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ, surrounded by his loving sons Leonard B. Tandul and Jeffrey A. Tandul. Born in Newark, NJ, Leonard was a lifelong resident of Linden, NJ and a part-time resident of Frankford Township, NJ.

He is survived by his beloved sons, Leonard B. Tandul and Jeffrey A. Tandul. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lillian Tandul, (née Zolna), his parents, Cyril Tandul and Catherine Tandul, (née Hausner), and a brother who died shortly after childbirth.

Leonard was a graduate of the St. Theresa’s Catholic School in Linden, NJ through grade eight.  His grandmother, Apolonia Hausner, was a founding parishioner of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Linden, where as a child he served as an Alter Boy. Leonard graduated from Linden High school, where he attended grades 9 through 12. At Linden High School, he met his beloved wife, Lillian Tandul (née Zolna). He graduated from Rutgers College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and later Leonard did intensive postgraduate study in Actuarial Science at Northeastern University. While studying at Rutgers, he served as manager of the Rutgers Marching band, and he was in the Airforce ROTC.

Leonard was a full Fellow in The American Society of Actuaries. An individual becomes full fellow actuary by passing a lengthy series of ten challenging exams administered by either the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). There are fewer than 20,000 people who have reached either Fellowship (all exams passed) or Associateship. A partial list of examination subjects includes advanced mathematics, probability, statistics, risk management/calculation, medicine, major insurance principals, laws, advanced accounting, finance, etc.

Leonard had a long career working in New York City for various companies including Metlife, North American Reassurance Company, The New York State Insurance Department, Beneficial Mutual Insurance Company and he served as Vice President and Chief Actuary until retirement at the Church Life Insurance Company (part of the Church Pension Group), providing life, casualty and pension insurance to the Episcopal Churches nationally. Leonard also served as President of the NYC Chapter of the American Society of Actuaries during his lengthy career.

When son Leonard B. Tandul was attending Rutgers College, his father, Leonard E., a born leader, served as president of the Rutgers Parent’s Association.  He and his late wife, Lillian, and the group were watchdogs for the quality of education and professors at Rutgers College. They rewarded several professors with professor of the year awards and investigated bad professors and called for and influenced improvements. Lillian, Leonard E.  and this group were watchdogs for campus security, and they went out many nights with the security director of Rutgers University to investigate campus safety.  After extensive investigations, they forced the implementation of improved campus security, lighting, and safety measures. They also advocated for better and increased student housing. Leonard’s late wife Lillian, later served as the first woman president of the Rutgers Parent’s Association, while their son Jeffrey A. Tandul attended Rutgers College, and Cook College.

Despite many years of working and studying hard, Leonard always had time to spend with his beloved wife Lillian and beloved sons, Leonard B. Tandul, and Jeffrey A. Tandul. He attended their sporting and performance events, and taught them how to play tennis and badminton, at a highly competitive level.  Leonard organized and participated in  family vacations to various locations out of state and countless family outings to the parks in Union County, the Jersey Shore and the lakes of Sussex County. The family all spent time playing tennis, boating and sailing together.

Leonard E. Tandul was an avid tennis and badminton player, and he was instrumental in influencing the City of Linden to build additional tennis courts at Wilson and Memorial Parks. He was president of the Linden Badminton Club and persuaded the City of Linden to open school gyms at night for competitive badminton play. Leonard won many tennis tournaments in the City of Linden.  He was an outstanding teacher of tennis and instructed  many to play and enjoy the sport through private efforts and as a tennis teacher at the Linden Adult School. Leonard’s tennis classes there were so popular, that for several years, the Adult School had to add additional evenings to the roster from the normal Monday only schedule. His classes always had a long waiting list.

Leonard will be forever in our memory and our hearts.

Funeral arrangements are private for immediate family only.

The family is requesting if anyone wishes to make a tribute that they donate in memory of Leonard E. Tandul to the “Friends of the Rutgers Display Gardens.” The donations can be submitted at the following web address: http://give.rutgersfoundation.org/rutgers-gardens/5052.html

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