Leo Vincent Zavatone

Leo Vincent Zavatone, 91, of Chester, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife and children and under the gentle care of the Middlesex Hospital hospice team. A passionate gardener and poet, life-long learner and world traveler, Leo’s curiosity carried him far, but his life was most deeply defined by his dedication to family, community, and faith as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle.

Born near the granite quarries of Quincy, Massachusetts, Leo grew up in an immigrant family rooted in faith, flowers, and hard work. With an Irish mother, Swiss-Italian father, and Swiss grandmother, he was immersed early in the languages and cultures of his neighborhood, school, and the family florist business, where he worked alongside his parents, uncle, and siblings. His early fascination with learning about the world’s peoples and love for gardening endured. After graduating from Boston College High School, Leo took great joy in his studies at Harvard University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 1956. Following service in the US military and work in the family business, he returned to Harvard to earn a Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern History in 1962 before embarking on a career in international business.

While on a work trip to Rapperswil, Switzerland, Leo met a fellow lover of languages and the love of his life, Walburga Maria (“Burgi”). Married on October 3, 1964, they shared a deep partnership, raising four children while living across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Settling in Chester more than 30 years ago, they nurtured a beautiful space filled with gardens, wildlife, and a warm welcome for kids, grandkids, extended family, and friends. Leo remained devoted to his family spanning Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, the US, and beyond, always showing up in times of need and celebration.

Leo found great joy in his grandchildren, sharing his love of nature through walks in the woods, gardening, fishing, and caring for the earth. Growing vegetables and making flower arrangements expressed his creativity and his love—especially for Burgi, his treasured bride of 61 years. Even in his final weeks, he took meaning and delight in creating the traditional holiday arrangements for his children and their families.

A lover of language (speaking English, Italian, German, and Arabic) and learning, Leo delighted in reading, sharing stories, and writing poems to mark milestones. He nurtured this passion for language and learning in his children and grandchildren, modeling the importance of showing care through words and sustaining curiosity. Leo’s Catholic faith guided his life of service, including years volunteering with Friends in Service Here (FISH), parish involvement, and sharing garden produce and flowers. He remained focused on helping others until his final days. His family feels tremendous gratitude for his example of dedication to the earth, family, and the human community in a spirit of faith and hope.

Leo is survived by his beloved wife, Walburga Zavatone; his children, Heidi Zavatone-Veth, Stefan Zavatone (Maureen), Bernard Zavatone (Alison), and Kristen Murray (Paul); and his cherished grandchildren: Jacob Zavatone-Veth (Ningjing Xia), Sofia Zavatone-Veth, Gavin, Liam, and Graham Zavatone, Owen and Paige Zavatone, and Kaitlyn, Allison, and Ronan Murray. He is also survived by his sisters, Veronica Coyne and Mary Pearl; sister-in-law Barbara Zavatone; and many nieces, nephews, and relatives.

He was predeceased by his parents, Otto and Helen (Lally) Zavatone; his brothers, James F. and Otto A. Zavatone; his son-in-law, Joseph Veth; his brother-in-law, Francis Coyne; and his grandson, Vincent O’Connor Zavatone.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 pm at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Church in Chester, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In addition to flowers to remember Leo, donations in his memory may be made to organizations providing food and meals to the region’s seniors and families, including The Estuary of Old Saybrook, CT (https://estuarycouncilofseniorsinc-bloom.kindful.com/) and the Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries of Essex, CT (https://shorelinesoupkitchens.org/get-involved/13-donate).