CHARLES A. LEONARDI, SR age 83, beloved husband for 51 years of the late Barbra (nee Briedwell); loving father of Lisa Leonardi-Dragmen (husband Charles), Laura Leonardi-Angie (husband Michael), Charles A. Jr. (wife Susan), Steven (wife Tiffany) and Candace Leonardi-Yaeger (husband John); devoted grandfather of Teala Tripodo, Tasha Thomas, Michael, Charlie and Lorenzo Leonardi, Lena Yaeger and great-grandfather of Tenley Tripodo; cherished son of the late Frank and Theresa (nee Olivo) Leonardi; dearest brother of Anthony Leonardi (wife Carol) and Diane Leonardi-Timlin (husband Joseph); dear brother-in-law of Sharon DePasquale; treasured uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend of many.
Charles Anthony Leonardi (Chuck) passed away on October 7, 2022. He entered this world on March 31, 1939. Chuck was a loving great-grandfather, grandfather, father, brother and son. Chuck started his early life in the Little Italy neighborhood on Murray Hill in Cleveland. His family later moved to Mayfield, Ohio where he attended St. Clare Catholic School. Chuck graduated from Mayfield High School in 1958 where he was the captain of the golf and wrestling teams. After graduating from Mayfield High School, Chuck attended Bowling Green University where he majored in Psychology and art studies and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
After college, Chuck worked for Fisher Auto Body in addition to other careers. He eventually found his way to painting and paperhanging. On April 24, 1965, Chuck married Barbra Briedwell and resided in Lyndhurst where they raised their five children. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Chuck was an accomplished decorator. His work included painting & wallpaper hanging that would culminate in his being honored by the state in his field of trade, earning several craftmanship awards. Chuck loved golf, no matter how hot or cold outside, you would always find him on the golf course. At any event, if there was music playing-you’d find him on the dance floor. Chuck was never sedentary, if there were cornhole games, cards, or bocce he would be rather playing then watching.
Chuck loved to travel, and wherever he went, and whomever he met, he made friends everywhere he visited. He was also very passionate about his religious beliefs. As a devout Jehovah Witness Chuck was an elder in his congregation and remained so until his passing. His greatest joy was his children and family, and he would never fail to share with anyone about each and every one of them whenever he had the chance.
Charles, Chuck, AKA Fun will be missed by so many.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Chuck to The Gathering Place https://www.classy.org/give/156105/#!/donation/checkout
or Jehovah Witness Worldwide Work https://donate.jw.org/ui/E/donate-home.html#/donate/WW
Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Chuck at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) FRIDAY 2 – 7 PM. Online obituary & guestbook at www.DeJohnCares.com
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FRED AND RACHEL GIARDINI
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF CHUCK’S PASSING. WE STUDIED WITH BARB AND CHUCK. WE FOUND THEM TO BE VERY GENUINE IN THEIR BELIVES. WE BE =CAME WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND THANK THEM EVERY DAY FOR BRINGING US THE TRUTH.
Sandy Amicone
My Thoughts and Prayers to the Beautiful Family of Chuck Leonardi!! He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend to all!!!! I am so sorry for your loss and and May God bless you all!!!!! Love and hugs, Sandy
Kathleen Sherwood
Much love to you all. When love endures, even as it faces death, it truly never fails.
Matthew
Amen
Jason Basinger
Chuck you and Barbra were the best! You were one of the best Christian brothers I knew. I look forward to seeing you and Barbra together in paradise. To all the family my deepest sympathies. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. It won’t be long until we see him and mom again. Love you all.
Freddy Giardini
So sorry to hear this, my heart is broken I remember his smile and his sence of humor I remember Chuck and Barb like they were part of my family,because they were I will miss them very much.
Bryan Wunsche
So sorry to hear the news. We are praying for your entire family.
Bryan and Sandy Wunsche
THOMAS
So glad to have made a friend of Chuck, even if for too short of a time. I will look forward to our next horseshoes game, in a beautiful new world; after his loving father in heaven satisfies his yearning to wake him. Job 14:15
Evans family
We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to each of you. Please be assured of God’s enduring love for you, his concerned with your well-being and willingness to help you endure this difficult time. 1 Peter 5:7.
Praying for comfort and strength for your family.
Colleen and Jay Sullivan
Our deepest condolences and sympathy to his family. For over 60 years chuck was a member of our extended family. He will be greatly missed. I know there will be an empty area in your lives as he was so much apart of your daily living. He is with Barb dancing for eternity ❤️❤️❤️
Deborah Moore
So sorry for your loss. Wishing you all comfort and peace in the coming days and months.
Archie Berk
We moved across the street in 1977 and immediately bonded with the Leonardi family. My relationship with Chuck was special as he taught me how to make pickles which helped me immensely in my business career. Haven’t seen him in years but our times together were special. Love to his family, he will be missed!
Doug & Lisa McBirney
The Leonardi and McBirney families have been cherished friends for over 50 years. We love you all and are so saddened by the loss of your dad and grandpa. May Jehovah hold you close in his everlasting arms until he resurrects your dad in the New World and you can hug him and your mom with tears of joy! Psalm 34:18
Carol A. Carpenter-Leonardi
Thank you Bryan and Sandy
Patty & Chuck Clapper
What a beautiful tribute to your dad, his life was so full with all of you. You were truly blessed. He will live in your hearts forever. Sending prayers and hugs.
Chuck & Karen Frank
Although many years have passed it seems like only yesterday we became friends. You will be sorely missed by all who have come to know you through the years. Looking ahead to the promise of the resurrection (John 5:28-29).
Lucy Landsmann ( Trunzo)
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Matthew
I grew up in Lyndhurst in a JW family closely associated with the Leonardis. To Lisa, Laura, Chuck, and Candace, I would like to sincerely offer you my condolences. Time and distance pulls childhood friends in many directions, and no doubt we all have stories to tell. Regardless, the pain of losing your father (or your mother as you did in 2016) is real and intense. I counted Chuck and Barb Leonardi and your family among my childhood family and friends while growing up. My hope is that you can find comfort and solace in each other, and in belief that goodhearted souls will not be forgotten by our Lord.
Matthew
Sorry, Steven, you too.
Kathleen Sue Johnson
Dear Laura, Chuck, and Candy,
I send my deepest sympathy on your loss of your dad. You were my students at Greenview when your mom was expecting Candy. She faithfully washed and sent the glass babyfood jars to me which we used as supplemental glassware for our life science experiments and were washed in our dishwasher for the next 20 years. I met Candy when she was a cast member for an Agatha Christie play at Brush when I was an adult chaperone for Jean Wall’s drama club. Can still see the image of your mom when she came to school openhouse. Kathleen Johnson
Lisa
I sit here today missing you terribly. Every Thursday for the past 6+ years was our “night” dinner and a movie or maybe a sport event we would watch on the television. Not to mention our trips to King Kone. I brought you picture canvas home, the one that hung in the dining room. Mom loved the birch trees and so happy to have gotten that wall hanging. I hung it in my bedroom along with the green leather chair that sat in your kitchen. I cried all the way home and even sat on my bed thinking I could not hang it or sit on that chair ever again. Chuck hung it last night and this morning I looked at it differently and although it made me nostalgic it made me feel peaceful. I cannot wait for the day…I just cannot wait for when I see you and mom again. It will be the best day ever.