Cavaliere Gaetano Guy Leone

Cavaliere Gaetano ""Guy"" Leone, 93, of Wethersfield, husband of the late Lucy (Reale) Leone, died Sunday, January 11, 2015. He was born January 20, 1921 in Palermo, Italy and was the son of the late Giuseppe and Antonietta (Tavana) Leone. Mr. Leone immigrated to the United States in December of 1952. He was a veteran of the Italian Army, serving during WW II. Mr. Leone was a non-commissioned officer with the Italian National Police, known as the Carabinieri. He served as an instructor for the Police Academy, Caserma Cernaia and was stationed in Torino, Italy. While in Italy he obtained a Geometra's diploma in civil engineering from the Gemmellaro Technical Institute of Catania and was a student at the University of Catania, Bologna and a 5th year student at the University of Torino in Economics. He was only several courses short of obtaining a doctorate in economics. Mr. Leone obtained the Honorary Title of Cavaliere in the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy for his services to the community. A graduate of Hartford Adult High School he attended Hartford Technical College. He was a graduate of Hillyer College, University of Hartford, obtaining a degree in Highway Design in 1962. He was a Professional Civil Engineer registered with the State of Connecticut since 1971, and worked for the State of Connecticut 33 years retiring in 1989. He was a Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the American Society of American Military Engineers. From 1989 to 2001 he was employed as the General Station Manager for Channel 13 T.V., Channel 65 T.V. and ZGS Television. Mr. Leone was the President of the St. Lucy Society since 1972 recently having given up the position. He was the Chartered Organization Representative for Troop 105, Boy Scouts of America and took part in other activities for the Boy Scout Troop for many years beginning in1960. Mr. Leone was the recipient of the Good Citizen Award from the Columbus Day Celebration Committee, Inc. in 1990. He was a member of the Order of Sons of Italy, Ella T. Grasso Lodge, St. Lawrence O'Toole Holy Name Society, Sons of Italy Foundation, O.S.I. in America, the Madonna delle Lacrime Committee at the church of St. Luke, Hartford, the Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., National Rifle Association, National Geographic Society, Touring Club Italiano, Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri, Di Italia Sezione Di New York, 2005 recipient of 45 Year Veteran Certificate by the Connecticut Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America and the recipient of the 2005 Humanitarian Award presented by the South End Ladies Democratic Club of Hartford, 2013 Congressional Special Service Award Recipient and many other awards and recognitions through the years. He was a longtime faithful communicant of the Church of the Incarnation, Wethersfield and a member of the Incarnation Men's Club. He is survived by his son, Joseph E. Leone of Wethersfield; his daughter, Antoinette Leone Ruzzier of Orlando, Florida and a granddaughter, Luciana Naydenov and husband Dimitar of Maryland and their infant daughter Sofia Anna. He also leaves behind his step-grandchildren, Lucio Ruzzier, Jr. and Dina Cassarino and her husband Rich and Daniela and Michael Ruzzier and Rachel and Richie Cassarino and cousins Nick Tambone and Michele Caponetto. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his son-in-law, Lucio Ruzzier; his brother, Michele Leone and his sister, Angela Leone Rapisarda. He leaves behind two sisters-in-law in Italy and many nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends in the United States and Italy. Funeral service will be Friday at 9:00 a.m. at the D' Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. The burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Calling hours are Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Donations in Gaetano's memory may be made to the Oak Hill Institute for the Blind, 120 Holcomb Street, Hartford, CT. 06112. For on-line expressions please visit www.desopo.com