Mr. Leonard John Centrone

When he started school, he spoke very little English, and when he went home each day, he passed on to his parents what he had learned. He taught them the Pledge of Allegiance, making his father stand and put his hand over his heart as he recited it. At a young age he accompanied his father, and helped in his ice delivery business, starting a working like that lasted until he turned 90.

At the age of 18, upon the urging of friends, he entered a contest at the 1939 New York's World's Fair and won N.Y's Most Handsome Ice Man. In 1942, he came to Fresno to see a sister who was living with one of their aunts, and ending up staying.

Later ,after attending a St. Patrick's Day dance at the Rainbow Ballroom, he told his sister he had danced with an angel, Palma Marinaro, which became his future wife. In 1950, their only child, Phyllis Ann, was born. She was the apple of his eye.

In the late 40's, Lee learned the plumbing trade, and later went to work as a salesman in the plumbing supply industry. In 1964, after the company he worked for went out of business, Lee and Palma pooled their savings together and started their own business, PAMSCO, supplying plumbing and air conditioning to contractors and others. Against great odds, though perseverance and hard work, he built a successful company. He always said that he looked forward to go to work each day, as he enjoyed seeing many of this customers, and vendors that called on him.

As the business prospered, he enjoyed sharing with his family, his church and the poor, and many charities, always preferring to do things in a way that didn't bring attention to himself. He said he knew that God sees what a man does, and that was enough for him.

Outside of work, Lee enjoyed cooking gourmet Italian and other dishes, and traveling to many parts of the world with his family.

The family would like to thank Lee's coworkers, his caregiver and friend Julie, his many Doctors and nurses, and to the California Armenian Home for all the help and excellent care the provided him.

Lee is survived by his wife, Palma; his daughter and son-in-law Phyllis and Greg Netherton; his sisters, Rose Caputo and Mary Givanniello of Port Jervis, N.Y. and Antonia "Netta" Helzer of Madera; several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, December 19, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Remembrances may be made to the Poverello House, Fresno Rescue Mission, St Helens Catholic Church, where he was a long time usher, or the donor's favorite local charity.