Leo Arico

Leo Joseph Arico, Jr. was born at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, Maryland on 8

July 1952, the eldest child of Leo Joseph Arico of Brooklyn, New York and Helen Florence

Pridmore Arico of Gaffney, South Carolina.

He is predeceased by his infant brother Louis, whose only day was the 5th of August 1958.

He is survived by his wife of many years, Phillis Emma Sylvester and their son Louis Arico, and his wife Emily Hope VanNoy Arico and their sons Leo and Xander. Also living are his daughter Quillan Lee Arico of Charlottesville, Virginia and step-daughter Emily Christine Curtis of Brooklyn, New York.

Leo has one deceased sibling, Paula Marie Arico of Tallahassee, Florida, who is survived by her children Jordan Arico and John Paul Holwell, and one living sibling, Arthur Louis Arico and his wife Tricia Maddox Goodloe Arico of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Leo attended Saint Louis Elementary and Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia before enrolling at the University of Virginia, graduating with his class of 1974. His life’s parade of careers are laborer at the University’s Rotunda Restoration, U.Va. hospital attendant, the Mousetrap restaurant prep and line cook, rebar installer at Scott Stadium Expansion 1977-1980, roofing contractor for nearly twenty years, catering bartender, event lighting technician, and licensed wastewater plant operator as his last full-time job. Leo worked part-time as custodian for the Center for Contemporary Arts, also called Live Arts. All in Charlottesville. Live Arts was Leo’s favorite place to volunteer, constructing sets and sometimes performing on stage. He also played the lead role in a locally produced horror movie, “Mister Angerhead,” earning Leo a Bacon number of 3.

Leo had his retirement years during his twenties, especially hitch-hiking with Phillis across the United States and British Columbia, once riding in a railroad boxcar, another time sending for helicopter rescue on Vancouver Island. All the stories about Leo are true.

In his later years, Leo woke up, walked to the bathroom, and stood up to do his business. The rest of the day was a bonus. His most satisfying rewards for living are the fine times had with Phillis, all their children, children’s friends, and all other friends and partners, coworkers, cast members, clients, neighbors, and people he happened to meet. The small animals that greeted him and all the adventures. The stories, mostly, are true. Among the best are with Phillis, organizing and hosting several orphans’ Thanksgivings in the 1990’s, and the renovations and additions to their property at 222 Douglas Avenue in Charlottesville; the city inspector commented, “You might have the only bidet in Belmont.”

Leo could make people laugh, which made him happy. This ability sprouted around the age of five and he fertilized it ever after. Best advice for telling a joke: Accurately remember the punch line- then work backwards to reveal the elements. Regrettably, Leo’s favorite jokes are not suitable for print in a family publication.

You have to go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours