Leonard E. Gaspary Jr.

Leonard Edward Gaspary, Jr, of Ormond Beach, FL, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 77, surrounded by family. Len was born to Leonard Edward Gaspary, Sr. and Mary Dempsey on November 22, 1947, in Albany, New York, and moved to Florida with his parents and sister, Mary, in 1965. He met his loving wife of 55 years, Pamela Cole, at the University of Florida. He graduated from college in 1969 and he and Pam married on June 20, 1970. Soon after, they moved to Hawaii where he served in the Navy and was deployed to Vietnam as a Naval Flight Officer.

After his time in the Navy, Len and Pam moved back to Gainesville, FL, and Len earned a second degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida.

They built a beautiful family and life together throughout his service in the Navy during Vietnam and his work in the construction and air conditioning industries. Along with his devoted wife, Len is also survived by his three adult children - Maile (Allen), Micah (Katie), and Leonard (Amanda); six beloved grandchildren - Emerson, Xiao, Han, Ender, Dorothy, and Luke; his sister, Mary; and countless friends and others directly impacted by his care and compassion.

A proud man and Veteran with unwavering principles, Len dedicated his life to his family and to his passion for helping his community. In his spare time, he was a youth basketball coach who sought to impact the lives of his players beyond the basketball court. He also taught adult education at the county jail to try and break the cycle that kept men from achieving their potential. His students had the highest success rate for achieving their GED under his guidance.

He may have seemed tough and intimidating on the outside, but his family and friends knew he loved them fiercely and unconditionally. He was an astute judge of character and he was loyal and unwavering in his support of those he loved.

He was a regular contributor to local homeless causes, the Ormond Beach Police Athletic League, Doctors Without Borders, Veterans for Responsible Leadership (VFRL), NAACP, ACLU, the UN Relief and Works Agency, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and numerous anti-racism and social justice initiatives, among many others. He also quietly and regularly gave directly to people he knew needed help.

Len taught his family to care about the world around them, to be curious and to question everything, but his love was never in doubt. He will be sorely missed.

The funeral service for Len will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, FL, at 10:00 AM on Thursday, 7 August, followed by interment at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL, at 2:30 PM the same day. All who know Len are invited to share in these celebrations of his life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to any of the above named charities or to the American Cancer Society or to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.