Donald E. Leone Sr.

Donald Edward Leone Senior, 90, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 3rd. He was born on August 21, 1930, the son of the late Domenico and Maria Donata Cianfarani Leone, in Norwich, Connecticut. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Shaver Leone.

Don, Ozzie to his friends, attended school in Norwich, graduating from Norwich Free Academy in 1948. He was the first in his family to go to college. Don worked to put himself through school starting at Fort Trumbull and graduated from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1952 with a BA in Biology. In 1968 he added a Master of Science degree in Zoology. After serving in the Army in Germany following World War II, he worked for the State of Connecticut Health Department in Hartford. Subsequently, he worked for many years at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, eventually leading the engineering laboratory.

Don was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Norwichtown. Don was devoted to his family and friends. He volunteered for many years as a class representative for the NFA Alumni helping to locate, communicate, and organize class reunions. Don loved sports. Don was a member of the 1945 Norwich Free Academy State Championship football team and played football at Fort Trumbull. He coached Midget football and Little League baseball for many years. Don enjoyed season tickets to watch UConn and Connecticut Sun basketball. He attended many local athletic events: football, wrestling, basketball, baseball even if his children and grandchildren weren’t participating. Don loved the beach and camping with his family. He loved music and would make up silly songs. Don loved to tinker and was known to his family as “The Old Soldier”. His greatest joy and the legacy he leaves is the love of his family.

Besides his parents, Don was predeceased by his five siblings (Anne, Anthony, John, Evelyn, and Carmella) and his grandson Joshua Sawyer. He is survived by his children Diane, Gail Sawyer (James), Donald (Jean), Jill Cota (Charles), Lynn Nelson (Carl), his 10 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

There will be a mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM on June 16th at Sacred Heart Church in Norwich, CT 06360. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joshua Sawyer Scholarship Fund at St. Bernard High School, 1593 Norwich New London Tpke, Uncasville, CT 06382.