William Lepro

Lifelong Staten Islander William Lepro, 31, of Fort Wadsworth, a tax accountant, devoted family man and New England Patriots fan, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, after a courageous fight against cancer.

Born in Meiers Corners, Mr. Lepro graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School, where he served as the captain of the varsity hockey team. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Fordham University in 2005.

Following graduation, Mr. Lepro worked at Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton, both headquartered in Manhattan. He had spent the last three years employed with Farkouh, Furman and Faccio, LLP, also in Manhattan.

Mr. Lepro enthusiastically cheered for the local sports teams, specifically the Mets, Rangers and Knicks. However, when it came to football, his sworn allegiance was to the New England Patriots. In his spare time, he also enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of playing on men's leagues for softball and flag football. He also liked golfing with his pals.

A romantic at heart, Mr. Lepro often surprised his fiancée with bouquets of flowers delivered to her office.

An avid reader, Mr. Lepro had a thirst for knowledge and his interests included Greek mythology, history, politics and sports. Mr. Lepro enjoyed trying his luck at poker and the blackjack tables in Atlantic City and vacationing in Aruba.

Mr. Lepro was known for his outsized personality. His presence could either command a boardroom full of his work colleagues or light up a party, making friends smile with his infectious laugh.

"My brother was a strong, passionate man who deeply loved his mother, his sister, his brother, his brother-in-law and his fiancée and her two daughters, who he fondly doted on. After my father's untimely passing earlier this year, my brother continued to be the leader of our family even as he battled his illness," said Mr. Lepro's younger brother, Brian Lepro. "He was a great and generous human being who will forever be missed by all who knew him."

Mr. Lepro was a parishioner of St. Teresa's R.C. Church, Castleton Corners.

Surviving Mr. Lepro in addition to his brother, Brian, are his mother, Yvonne Lepro, his sister, Stephanie Auer, his brother, Vincent, and his fiancée Maryanne Poyerd.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, with a mass at 10:45 a.m. in St. Teresa's Church, both in Castleton Corners. Entombment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.