Frederick M. DeLeo Jr.

Frederick Michael DeLeo died peacefully on Saturday, April 26, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Fred was a cherished member of his family, known for his humor, kindness, generosity, and fun-loving spirit. Born on March 26, 1952, in Boston, Massachusetts, Fred was a beacon of compassion and love, touching the lives of everyone he encountered.

Throughout his life, Fred demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He was a tireless advocate for the rights and freedoms of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After earning his master’s degree from Boston University, Fred worked for the Department of Developmental Services throughout his career in Cambridge, Taunton and the New Bedford Area offices. He was instrumental in the deinstitutionalization of the Dever, Fernald and Wrentham State Schools, which resulted in moving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from state institutions to community-based settings.

Fred was a person of deep faith who consistently practiced meditation and prayer for almost fifty years. Most importantly he diligently incorporated the teachings of his faith into his daily life. As a man of deep spirituality who lived the values so deeply important to him, Fred was most often found supporting his family through selfless service in the form of cheering on his daughters in their endeavors and passions, sharing household responsibilities with his wife, writing prolific cards, letters and poems to family members, and imparting the importance of civic duties, to name a few. He encouraged conversations around the dinner table and was always the first one awake on everyone’s birthday so he could make sure a candle was lit to begin the celebration. Fred and his loving wife instilled a love of travel and different cultures in their daughters, taking them to faraway places for adventures of a lifetime.

Fred was raised in South Boston where he developed a lifelong love of the Irish culture and its people. After visiting Ireland, he immersed himself in the Irish culture further, reading every piece of important literature and watching every Irish movie he could get his hands on. Listening to a “Celtic Sojourn” with Brian O’Donovan every week was a favorite past time. His Irish friends used to always say he was truly an Irishman locked up in an Italian body.

Fred enjoyed a wonderful circle of dear friends and had the fondest memories of days at the beach, trips to Jan and Warren’s summer cottage and meals together with family and friends. Most of all, Fred was dedicated to his family, especially his cherished wife, daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, dotingly supporting their activities and accomplishments.

Fred is the beloved son of the late Frederick M DeLeo, Sr. and Frances (Mazzapica) DeLeo. Treasured husband of Christine (Barker) DeLeo, Fred was the devoted father to Tara (DeLeo) Mahoney and Anna DeLeo, adoring grandfather to Erin, Colin, and Patrick Mahoney and his son-in-law, Michael Mahoney. Fred was one of three siblings and was predeceased by his sister Dolores DeLeo. He is survived by his brother, Mark DeLeo and his wife Renee and his nephew, Mark Jr., and nieces, Lisa, Lauren and Alyssa. Fred leaves behind his adoring cousins Eva Solimine and Robert and Marie Colleameno. He is also survived by many other cousins. They will always cherish his dedication to his family and his faith. Fred was a loving father, husband, brother and uncle, providing support, wisdom, and an endless reservoir of love to his family and friends.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 9:00 am to 10:00 am in St. Leonard Church, 320 Hanover Street, Boston, MA.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated following the morning visitation beginning at 10:00 am. A luncheon will be provided where family and friends are invited to honor Fred’s memory and share stories of the remarkable person he was.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis www.acceleratedcure.org/support-acp/donate continuing Fred's spirit of generosity and support for others with multiple sclerosis.

Fred's departure leaves a void in our lives that cannot be filled, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace, Fred. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.