Jerome P. Leggio

Jerome "Jerry" Philip Leggio III was born in Baton Rouge on Oct. 25, 1960, and died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. Jerry's schooling included Sacred Heart School, St. Aloysius School, Tara High School and LSU. Jerry had many and varied interests with which he was always a perfectionist. His interests included drawing, playing the piano and guitar, playing jokes and pranks, the beach and climbing mountains. He enjoyed collecting beer cans and was a member of the Beer Can Collectors of America, through which he had friends throughout the United States. He was also a longtime member of the Pyrotechnic Guild International, where he will be remembered affectionately as the "cereal bomber," a label attributed to his unique creations fashioned from cereal boxes. He enjoyed attending the PGI conventions each year with his friend Thomas Marino and sharing his love of pyrotechnics with his friends from around the world. It was his love and participation of pyrotechnics that caused his accident in 1982. His fireworks were special creations at each event. Jerry shared an interest in coins with his friend Jim Gillen and nephew John Michael Leggio, an interest in target shooting with his friends David Bell, Mark Crotty and Pat Whalen, traveling throughout the United States with his family and friend Steve Platt and others. Other friends he enjoyed growing up with were David Sapp, Michael Bynog, Jim and Mike Gillen, John and Paul Kelly and many others. A road trip with Jerry was unforgettable as he knew the United States very intimately. He could also tell you the names, party affiliations and how each of the members of Congress voted on each issue. Jerry is survived by his son, Lucas Philip Leggio, and daughter, Daniella Marechal Leggio, both born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and now living in Albuquerque, N.M., with their mother, Claudia. He is also survived by his loving parents, Jerry and Gloria Leggio; sister, Felicia Leggio Braud and her husband, John, and their children, Shane Leggio, Eva, Micah and Jolie Braud; a brother, Charles Michael and his wife, Michelle, and their children, Katherine and John Michael Leggio; brother, Darrell and wife Kathy and their children, Allissa, Brandon and Tyler Leggio; special cousins, Charles Thomas Gartman IV and Toni Dabadie; an aunt and uncle, Lynn and Louis Leggio, and their children, Charles, Stephen Leggio and Stella Pruett; an aunt, Charlene Potts and her children, Teri Taylor, James Wilson, Toni Dabadie and Nicki Presley; an uncle, Charles Gartman and children, Theresa, Telisha and Charles Gartman IV; an aunt and uncle, Cathi and Donnie Gartman; and many other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, including his cat, Baby Kitty. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Audrey and Jerome Leggio and Charles Gartman; and special grandmother, Osenia "Mama Jack" Kennedy Gartman. Pallbearers will be Lucas Leggio, Mike Leggio, Darrell Leggio, Felicia Leggio Braud, Shane Leggio, Charles Gartman, Thomas Marino, Jim Gillen, Steve Platt, John Braud and Brandon Leggio. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., was on Monday, Sept. 10, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2251 Main St., on Tuesday at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Paul A. McDuffie, celebrant. Burial in Roselawn Memorial Park. Jerry's family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Sacred Heart School or Sacred Heart Church. None of his hobbies or interests could compare to his love for his children, Lucas and Daniella. Jerry's life was short and he suffered great pain. But Jerry lived what others only dreamed.