JIM THORPE, Pa. -- Leonard Lenny Marzen Sr., a longtime bus operator in eastern Pennsylvania and former president of the Pennsylvania Bus Association, died last month. He died within days of his 94th birthday.

Mr. Marzen spent nearly 70 years in the industry. He started as a mechanic with the former Mauch Chunk Transportation Co., which became Jim Thorpe Transportation in 1953.

He rose from mechanic to owner and general manager of the company that operated 22 school buses and later added a motorcoach division, called Jim Thorpe Tours, in the early 1980s. The unit eventually grew to an 11-coach fleet. The company got out of the school bus business later in the 80s when it lost its school bus contract.

Mr. Marzens family said buses and family were the loves of his life. In addition to leading the Pennsylvania Bus Association, he also was a member of the former Pennsylvania School Bus Association, the American Bus Association, and United Bus Owners of America (now the United Motorcoach Association).

He retired in 1997 and sold his company to Trans-Bridge Lines of Bethlehem, Pa. He was awarded a lifetime membership in the Pennsylvania Bus Association when he retired.

Beyond his career and family, Mr. Marzen maintained an active civic life, having been a charter member of the former Jim Thorpe VFW (now the Lehighton VFW), a member of the Jim Thorpe American Legion Post 304, the Men of Marian, the Men of Malvern, and a member of the Jim Thorpe Memorial Park Commission for 32 years.

He was in charge of maintenance of the fire engine and ambulance at the Fairview Hose Co. in East Jim Thorpe for 48 years.

He also ushered at St. Josephs Catholic Church.

He was honored as the Allentown (Pa.) Sertoma Club Man of the Year in 1992 and named Jim Thorpe Man of the Year by American Legion Post 304 in 1981.

He was a World War II veteran, having served in the occupation of Germany and was training for the invasion of Japan when the war ended.

Survivors include two sons, Leonard Jr. and Thomas, both of who are employed in the industry. Leonard is with Trans-Bridge Lines and Thomas with MCI in Blackwood, N.J.

Memorials in Mr. Marzens name have been established with St. Joseph Regional Academy, 25 W. 6th St., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, and Marian Catholic High School, 166 Marian Ave., Tamaqua, PA 18252.