In Memoriam

Joseph L. Wroblewski, 96, Past International President of Lions Clubs International, devoted husband, father, grandfather, funeral director, veteran, humanitarian and community leader, passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2026, surrounded by his children.

For more than seven decades, Joseph dedicated his life to service – service to his family, his community, his profession and most notably to Lions Clubs International, whose mission of improving lives through humanitarian work became the guiding purpose of his life.

Born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, to Joseph L. Wroblewski and Irene Sobolewski Wroblewski, Joe was raised with the values of faith, hard work, compassion and integrity that would define his character throughout his life. A graduate of Ashley High School, he continued his education at Wilkes College and later earned a degree from Eckels College of Mortuary Science in 1952.

Joe honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he established his first funeral home in Ashley in 1954 and later expanded his work by acquiring the former John J. Baloga Funeral Home in Forty Fort. Together with his beloved wife, Normajean, he served generations of families with dignity, compassion and professionalism for more than six decades. During life’s most difficult moments, Joe and Normajean became trusted sources of comfort, guidance, and reassurance for countless families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to several successful ventures beyond funeral service. Though respected as a businessman, Joe believed that the true measure of a life was found in service to others.

A member of the Ashley Lions Club since 1954, Joe devoted more than 70 years to Lions Clubs International. Through decades of leadership and service, he rose through the organization’s ranks, serving as district governor, international director, and ultimately as international president of Lions Clubs International during 1985-1986.

His leadership extended far beyond a single presidential term. Joe served as international convention chairperson, United Nations liaison for 28 years, chairman of the Coordinating Committee for China Affairs, and in numerous other capacities that helped shape the global direction of Lions Clubs International. His work carried him across continents, where he forged lifelong friendships, inspired service and advanced humanitarian causes that improved countless lives.

Throughout the world, Lions knew Joe not only as a leader but also as a trusted friend whose warmth, optimism and genuine interest in others left lasting impressions wherever he traveled. He embodied the Lions motto, “We Serve,” and the principle of “Service Above Self.” As international president, he adopted the theme “We Serve Better Together,” a simple but powerful message that reflected both his vision for Lions and his philosophy of life. He believed that the greatest accomplishments were never achieved alone, but through people working side by side in common purpose. His commitment to combating blindness, alleviating hunger, supporting youth, strengthening communities and promoting international understanding left an enduring mark on the organization and on the people it serves.

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Joe received many of Lions Clubs International's highest honors, including the Ambassador of Goodwill Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a Lion. He was also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and recipient of numerous international leadership and service awards.

Joe was equally devoted to his faith, his family and his community. He served on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-Barre; was President of the Northeastern Heart Association; was a 55-year member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville; and actively supported numerous civic, charitable and professional organizations throughout his lifetime.

Above all, Joe cherished his family. He shared nearly 70 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Normajean G. Kozicki Wroblewski, whose partnership, love and support were central to his life until her passing in 2023. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, service and devotion to others.

While thousands around the world knew him as a leader, mentor, humanitarian and friend, his grandchildren knew him simply as “Papa” – a title he treasured above all others. Whether sharing stories, offering encouragement, celebrating milestones or simply enjoying time together, he took immense pride in his family and found great joy in watching each new generation grow. His wisdom, generosity, gentle spirit and unwavering love became gifts that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry with them always.

In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by his sons-in-law, Leon Wendelowski and Bryan Demerly, and his daughter-in-law, Heide Lauck.

He is survived by his children: Lisa Wroblewski Howland and husband, Gary, Joseph B. Wroblewski and wife, Dr. Genevieve Wroblewski, Eric Aubrey Wroblewski, and Marla Wroblewski Demerly and Gregg Fagan.

He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Genevieve Wroblewski and husband, Daniel Sawyers, Christa Wroblewski and husband, Zachary Huckle-Bauer,  Eric J. Wroblewski and wife, Minna Tran,  Brett Krumins and wife, Alexandra, Erik Lorens; Bryanna Demerly Litz and husband, Justin, Matthew Demerly and wife, MaryKatherine,  Joseph Demerly Bell and husband, James; Catherine Conroy and husband, Ben; and Tyler Lauck.

His legacy continues through his cherished great-grandchildren: Maddox and Callie Sawyers, Julian and Teddy Huckle-Bauer, K.J. and Will Demerly, Antonyio Bell, Luke, Cole, and Rex Conroy, and a beloved great-granddaughter, Baby Litz, expected later this year.

He is also survived by his sister, Eleanor Witkowski, as well as nieces, nephews, fellow Lions, colleagues and countless friends throughout the world.

Through his family, his profession, his faith and his lifelong dedication to humanitarian service, Joe leaves a legacy that spans generations and reaches far beyond the communities he called home.

Joe’s life was marked by kindness, purpose, generosity and an abiding belief that each of us has a responsibility to help others. Though he will be deeply missed by those who loved him, his example will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Wherever people gather to help others, strengthen their communities and make the world a better place, Joe's legacy lives on. His family finds comfort in knowing that the words he chose to guide his life, and which will forever mark his resting place, continue to speak for him: We Serve Better Together.

Past International President Justice Brian Stevenson, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, passed away. He was elected to serve as the international president at the Lions’ 70th International Convention, held in Taipei, Taiwan, in July 1987.

PIP Justice Stevenson was a proud Lion since 1966 and a member of the Calgary Northeast Eyeopener Lions Club, and he held numerous roles within the association, including district governor, council chairperson (74-75), member of the association’s board of directors (77-79), a presidential appointee to the international board on five occasions (79-80, 80-81, 98-99, 02-03 and 23-24), and served as a board trustee for Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). For his many contributions, Past International President Stevenson received the 100% District Governor Award, the Senior Master Key, 38 International Presidents’ Awards, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the association's highest honor granted to its members. He was a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, along with his wife, Lion Patricia. They also received the Second Century Ambassadors award.

He wanted to leave this world a better place than how he inherited it through his work with the association, so he served as Canada’s constitutional area leader on the Global Membership Team, as the Canadian advisor on the LCIF Development Advisory Committee, and as Canada’s representative on the association’s Centennial Committee. He also represented Canada on the Vice-Presidential Candidates Evaluation Committee.

Past International President Stevenson served the community as a Lion, and as a dedicated and long-serving judge. PIP Stevenson retired from the Calgary justice system in December of 2024. While no official records are kept, it’s believed that Justice Stevenson spent more than 50 years on the bench, making him the longest-serving judge in Canadian history. Before being appointed as a judge in 1974, he was a partner in a Calgary law firm and served as a special prosecutor of narcotic offences for the Canadian Department of Justice.

In 1996, the City of Calgary recognized his substantial contributions by awarding him the Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award of Merit. In 2005, the Province of Alberta recognized his service to Alberta with the Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2002, Justice Stevenson was honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the Golden Jubilee Medal, and in 2023, he was again honored by receiving the Platinum Jubilee Medal. Not only did our association and our Lions benefit from Justice Stevenson's passion, he also served as an advisor to Calgary’s United Way, as president of the Calgary Social Planning Council, and as a member of the City of Calgary Social Services Committee. He has also served as president of the Alberta Provincial Judges’ Association and as chair of the International Year of Disabled Persons for the Province of Alberta.

But his greatest achievement was his family, his beloved Patricia, who left his side in 2022, his blended family of four daughters, 24 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

PIP Brian Stevenson showed what great leadership looks like, and his courage in serving humanity, his gentle manner, humor and love of life and people will be remembered. His life and service will continue to inspire others.

Past International President Wayne A. Madden, who served in 2012-2013, passed away on May 30, 2020.

Originally from the town of Auburn, Indiana, USA, the late Past President Madden was influenced by old fashioned values of family and hard work. His caring nature drove him to give back to his community. In 1984, when a letter from the Auburn Lions came in the mail asking him to join, he immediately said yes. It was the perfect opportunity to share his belief of helping people live better lives by providing needed services.

His defining moment as a Lion was an eyeglass mission trip to Honduras in 1995, a decade after he became a Lion. A young man with a disability slowly made his way to the eyeglass tent. “He asked if I had a pair of sunglasses. He tried on a pair of sunglasses and got a big smile on his face. When you see service actually do something for somebody is when you really become a Lion,” Madden said.

Over the years his warm and friendly personality drew people of all walks of life to him. As president, he promoted the Reading Action Program, and especially enjoyed reading Dr. Seuss books to children around the world. In the spring of 2013, the late Past President Madden and Lions Clubs International hosted the Reading and Literacy Summit where leading literacy experts, researchers, educators, vision health providers, entrepreneurs, and civil society partners from around the world came together to explore the state of global literacy and the challenges and opportunities it represents. The goal of the summit was to develop plans to strengthen the capacity of the education sector and enhance community involvement to meet the needs of children, youth, and adults that face a variety of barriers to literacy.

He also supported Operation Kid Sight in Indiana. His slogan In a World of Service, truly defined his desire to promote the work of Lions and peace throughout the world.

In recognition of his service to the association, the late Past President Madden received many awards, including the International President’s Leadership Medal, 15 International President’s Medals and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. In 2008, he was recognized for his humanitarian service by the governor of Indiana as a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor the governor can bestow.

The late Past President Madden enjoyed a successful career as teacher and businessman. He was well-known and respected in the community and would often be found chatting with friends at the local hardware store about his much-loved subject, classic cars.

His dedication to his spouse Linda and his daughters was unsurpassed. He was always there to encourage and support his family. When daughter Jennifer, then in college, secured an internship in Washington, D.C., he arranged to surprise her. “When I got off the plane in D.C. there was my dad. I was never so happy to see him in my life. I really needed that little transition of getting safely to where I was going to be,” she says.

He cared for everyone as if they were part of his family. Everyone felt special in his presence and he will be remembered for his warmth and kindness always. He possessed the unique ability to draw people to him; making others feel comfortable with his genuine warmth and friendly sense of humor. He had a large presence with a soft caring heart.

On January 6, 2024, Former International President Professor Dr. Giuseppe Grimaldi, died surrounded by family. (He preferred to be referred to as “Former International President” rather than “Past.”) Dr. Grimaldi was our eldest living international president and a charter life member of the Enna Lions Club of Enna, Italy. He had a strong commitment to Lions International, having a perfect attendance record for 32 years. He was the first Italian to serve as international president.   

Being a foremost neuropsychiatrist in Italy, he was appointed as the professor of neurology and head of the Department of Neurology at Enna General Hospital. Other professional accomplishments included serving as director of the Italian Medical-Surgical Order and as a member of the Italian Red Cross, the Medical Court of Justice and many international academies. In recognition of his many contributions to his profession and his community, Dr. Grimaldi received the medal of "Grande Ufficiale," one of the highest honors granted by the Italian government, and the Premio Garipoli or "Man of the Year" in Sicily. 

Dr. Grimaldi balanced being a doctor, a Lion, an actor and a civic leader with his family life. He and his wife, Ariane, a citizen of Switzerland, had four sons: Luigi, Giancarlo, Marco and Stefano. While maintaining his official residence and office in Enna, he and Ariane managed to enjoy the charm of both sunny Sicily and picturesque Lugano in the heart of the Italian-speaking area of Switzerland. 

Passionate about Lions clubs, he often said that Lions should have continuous dialogue with the leaders of local government to ensure that their leadership is recognized, and they will know how best to carry out the Lions’ humanitarian mission to serve people in need.  

Dr. Grimaldi spoke from a sense of deep commitment. This was reflected from his years of action as a leader in civic causes and the memory of harsh wartime childhood experiences. He insisted that Lions need to embrace this concept of leadership and meet the challenges they face because of the unique place they occupy in their communities.  

Dr. Grimaldi’s involvement with Lions began in 1968 when he was district governor. Since that year, he attended every Europa Forum and international convention. He was privileged to serve as an international director from 1972-74 during the presidential terms of George Friedrichs and Tris Coffin. In 1976, he offered his name as a candidate for third international vice president and was soundly defeated by his good friend Lloyd Morgan of New Zealand. Not disappointed, he accepted the democratic vote of the delegates and vowed to work even harder on behalf of the association’s global mission. His hard work eventually paid off. Dr. Grimaldi was elected as president of the International Association of Lions Clubs at the 77th annual international convention held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 12-15, 1994.   

In recognition of his service to the association, he received numerous awards, including 20 International President’s Awards, the 30-, 35- and 40-Year Monarch Chevron Award, the Humanitarian Partner Bronze - Diamond Award, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon Lions. He was also named a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow for his support of Lions Clubs International Foundation. 

Dr. Ashok Mehta, Past International President (2005-2006), passed away on March 17, 2021.  He was 89 years old.

The late Past President Mehta became a member of the Bombay Sion Lions Club in 1963. True to his presidential theme, “Passion to Excel,” he immediately began to sponsor new Lion members and continued to for the next 57 years. The late Past President Mehta organized more than 30 eye camps in India and Africa. He was dedicated to the success of the Lion Tarachand Bapa Hospital, and mobilized international support during major catastrophes, including earthquakes and super-cyclones in India. His peace mission to Pakistan, promoted by Lions of the two nations, added to the spirit of building bridges between the people of these countries.

During Campaign SightFirst, Mehta served as an International Committee member for South Asia and Africa, contributing to the campaign’s success in raising more than US$150 million.

The late Past President Mehta served the association in numerous roles. He was a regular participant at Lions conventions, Forums, and Lions conferences, served as a member of the faculty at 10 District Governors-elect Schools, and was chairperson of the District Governors Orientation program at the 75th International Convention in Hong Kong.

His numerous awards include the Lions International Key Award for sponsoring 250 new members and 28 extension awards for organizing new clubs, the Friend of Humanity Award, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest award the association gives to its members. He was also a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

The Jaycees of Mumbai declared him “Man of the Year” in 1986. The government of Maharashtra appointed him to the Senate of Mumbai University, and he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in humanities from the University of the World in Missouri, USA.

The late Past President Mehta enjoyed a successful career as chairperson and managing director of a company in India and was actively associated with more than a dozen major medical, educational, welfare, social, and cultural institutions. His spouse, Kokila, daughter, Sheetal, and extended family and friends mourn his death.

Past International President Rohit C. Mehta, known as the Father of Indian Lionism, died on the morning of September 17, 2020. He was 91 years old.

The late Past International President Mehta became a Lion in 1956 and after years of dedication and service to the association, became International President in 1992-93. He was the first Lion from India to serve as International President of Lions.

PIP Mehta was the charter secretary of the first Lions Club in his state of Gujarat. He served in numerous capacities and was appointed district governor in 1959-60, elected district governor in 1960-61, and served as a member of the association's board of directors from 1970 to 1972. In 1987, Mehta was elected as the association’s third International Vice President. He served as LCIF Trustee, LCIF Steering Committee Member, Lions Quest Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Lions Quest India Foundation and CSFII PIP Campaign Ambassador.

The late Past President Mehta was also the editor of the LION Magazine in India for many years and was an acting member of Ahmedabad Host Club and Honorary Member of Lions Club of Ahmedabad Karnavati.  He was instrumental in the initiative of Sight First and Lions Quest Program. He was also one of the key members to start China Action Program for Sight Conversation, and was the pioneer of several service projects including Lions Karnavati Shantaben Vishnubhai Patel Eye Hospital, Lalji Mehrotra Lions School, Lions Blood Bank, and Lions Kidney Dialysis Center. Until recently, he served as a chairman of the School for Deaf-Mutes Society, founded by Mahatma Gandhi and visited by Helen Keller. He also served as chairman of an educational institute Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan; imparting education to more than 4,000 students.

For his dedication and service, the late Past President Mehta was recognized with the Master Key, six Extension Awards, a 50, 55 and 60-Year Charter Monarch Chevrons, Humanitarian Partner Bronze, Life Membership Award, over 20 International President Medals, and the Ambassador of Good Will, the highest honor granted to a member by the association. He was a generous donor to LCIF, including being a Major Donor to both Campaign SightFirst I and II, and he was a multi-level Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

After losing his parents in an air crash in 1950, 20-year-old Mehta quickly accepted the responsibilities of his family’s textile and pharmaceutical business, and continued to acquire many international businesses and collaborations. Retiring from business activities in 2001, he continued to serve society through various institutions, including serving as the president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Indian Cotton Mill Federation, president of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and chairman of Bet Dwarka Temple Trust. He was also the chairman of more than 20 state public sector undertakings and notable amongst them was GNFC, Ahmedabad Electricity Company, and GRUH Finance Bank.

On August 26, Lions around the world celebrated PIP Mehta’s 91st birthday by doing individual Acts of Kindness, and he was delighted to receive a scrapbook that described 100 of these selected acts.

The late Past President was devoted to his family; wife Asha, two sons Rajesh and Anuj, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild, and was proud of the worldwide Lions family. He recognized the needs of others and through determination and kindness improved countless lives.