Wolcott - Leopoldo "Leo" DiGioia age 82, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by the love and comfort of his family on Friday, February 13, 2015 after an extended illness. He was the husband of Joan (Byron) DiGioia.
Leo was born October 1, 1932 in Waterbury, the son of the late Antonio and Lucia (Casale) DiGioia. He was a graduate of Leavenworth High School and Waterbury State Technical College and Post University. He proudly served his country during the Korean War with the US Navy aboard the USS Intrepid and worked as an engineer for Pratt and Whitney for 40 years before his retirement. During the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, Leo served as head chairman of the host town committee for Honduras and was honored as the Honorary Mayor of Wolcott that same year. He was an assistant scout leader for Troop 230 of Wolcott and was a coach and umpire for Wolcott Little League as well as a CCD teacher at St Pius X Church where he was an active parishioner. Leo was a fourth degree Knight and was very active in the Knight of Columbus, Council 3961 Armor Dei Council of Wolcott where he served as Past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator as well as a past District Warden and past State District Deputy and was a member of the American Legion Post # 165 of Wolcott. He loved golfing, coaching, doing crossword puzzles, and was an avid history buff. He was a diehard NY Giants and UCONN Basketball fan.
Besides his wife of 57 years, Leo is survived by his children, Peter DiGioia and his wife, Diane of Higganum, Diane Belanger and her husband, Thomas of Thomaston, Joyce Konopelski and her husband, David , Susan DiGioia and Kathleen Downey all from Wolcott. He also leaves his sister, Julie Kemp of Mission Viejo, CA, his eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews as well as his best friend and faithful German Shepard, Duke. He was predeceased by his children, Stephen DiGioia and Melissa DiGioia and his sister, Madeline Grochall.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the hospice team from Masonic Care, most especially Pat, Linda, Aileen and Abby. Also the family's long time friend and angel Eva Barstis.
Funeral services for Mr. DiGioia will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 10:00 am when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Pius X Church 517 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716. Those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Relatives and friends may visit with Leo's family at Eastside Memorial, "A CASEY FAMILY FUNERAL HOME AND TRIBUTE CENTER", 1987 East Main St @ Southmayd Rd on Friday evening from 5:00 ~ 8:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Columbiettes Campership Fund c/o Anna LaVoie 58 Pond Hill Road Wallingford, CT 06492 or to St Pius X Church 517 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716.
To extend on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, light a memorial candle or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.eastsidememorial.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leo DiGioia, please visit our flower store.
Leo was born October 1, 1932 in Waterbury, the son of the late Antonio and Lucia (Casale) DiGioia. He was a graduate of Leavenworth High School and Waterbury State Technical College and Post University. He proudly served his country during the Korean War with the US Navy aboard the USS Intrepid and worked as an engineer for Pratt and Whitney for 40 years before his retirement. During the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, Leo served as head chairman of the host town committee for Honduras and was honored as the Honorary Mayor of Wolcott that same year. He was an assistant scout leader for Troop 230 of Wolcott and was a coach and umpire for Wolcott Little League as well as a CCD teacher at St Pius X Church where he was an active parishioner. Leo was a fourth degree Knight and was very active in the Knight of Columbus, Council 3961 Armor Dei Council of Wolcott where he served as Past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator as well as a past District Warden and past State District Deputy and was a member of the American Legion Post # 165 of Wolcott. He loved golfing, coaching, doing crossword puzzles, and was an avid history buff. He was a diehard NY Giants and UCONN Basketball fan.
Besides his wife of 57 years, Leo is survived by his children, Peter DiGioia and his wife, Diane of Higganum, Diane Belanger and her husband, Thomas of Thomaston, Joyce Konopelski and her husband, David , Susan DiGioia and Kathleen Downey all from Wolcott. He also leaves his sister, Julie Kemp of Mission Viejo, CA, his eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews as well as his best friend and faithful German Shepard, Duke. He was predeceased by his children, Stephen DiGioia and Melissa DiGioia and his sister, Madeline Grochall.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the hospice team from Masonic Care, most especially Pat, Linda, Aileen and Abby. Also the family's long time friend and angel Eva Barstis.
Funeral services for Mr. DiGioia will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 10:00 am when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Pius X Church 517 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716. Those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Relatives and friends may visit with Leo's family at Eastside Memorial, "A CASEY FAMILY FUNERAL HOME AND TRIBUTE CENTER", 1987 East Main St @ Southmayd Rd on Friday evening from 5:00 ~ 8:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Columbiettes Campership Fund c/o Anna LaVoie 58 Pond Hill Road Wallingford, CT 06492 or to St Pius X Church 517 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716.
To extend on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, light a memorial candle or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.eastsidememorial.com
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