A devoted husband, father, son, grandfather, brother and friend Leonard (Len) Gene Soprano lived fully and without regret. He died peacefully on the morning of April 30, 2018. Len began his life in Waltham, Massachusetts on April 9, 1944, the oldest child and only son of Gene and Anita Soprano. A premature baby, he arrived early for the first and only time in his life. In 1961 he and his family moved to the warmth of Ventura County. Shortly after arriving, he enrolled in the first graduating class of Buena High School. Musically talented, charismatic and a born entertainer, Len sang and played guitar as a member of the Shady Grove Singers at Ventura College. As president of the Newman Club, he met and later married the love of his life - Roberta Richards. Together they raised their children in a loving home where they hosted pool parties, birthdays, Easter egg hunts and family reunions. After the tragic accident that claimed Roberta’s life and the lives of two of their children, Valerie and Jonathan, Len continued to welcome his extended family and community of friends into their home.
Throughout his life Len was a very active and generous community member serving as President of Santa Paula Jaycees, S.P. Little League President, AYSO President, Pan American Bus Club President, Assistant AYSO Commissioner, Little League Manager and Coach, Assistant Baseball and Golf Coach at Buena High School and AYSO Head Coach for each of his children. He was also involved in the Santa Paula Tennis Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Indian Guides and Indian Maidens. He received the “Citizens Medal of Merit” from the Ventura County Peace Officers Association. As an Allstate Agent for 40 years he was more than a broker, and took a personal interest in his clients who became his friends.
Len lived life to the fullest and his interests were always growing, including performing magic shows at the kids’ schools and birthday parties, and collecting vinyl music and other treasures. He loved vacationing with his family, discovering new destinations, being in nature, hiking, swimming, playing basketball, tennis, golf, and playing guitar and singing to his children, grandkids and friends. Len’s zest for life and generosity were felt by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by seven living children: Steven Soprano (Liz), Michael Soprano (Lisa), and Rebecca Engel (Paul) of Ventura, CA; Marilyn Mason (Mike) of Sequim, WA; Jeffrey Soprano (Julie) and Suzanne Soprano (Joaquin) of Santa Paula, CA; Elizabeth Harrison (Rob) of Moorpark, CA. Seventeen Grandchildren: Jessica, Stephanie and Richard Soprano; Weston, Allison, Jenna, James, Samuel and Sophia Mason; Sierra and Sedona Engel; William, Benjamin, Valerie, Hunter and Madeline Harrison; Leonardo De Los Santos. Two sisters: Gail Ogle and Karen Craffey (Bill). Five sisters-in-law: Carolyn Tulberg, Claudia Morrison, Eleanor Wendlberger (Bill), Marcela Baxley (Dan) and Theresa Bulla-Richards (Gary). He was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years Roberta Richards Soprano; his children Valerie, Jonathan and Andrew Soprano; parents Gene and Anita Soprano; parents-in-law Clark & Mattie Richards; sister-in-law Cynthia Simmons; and brothers-in-law Ellsworth Tulberg, Bob Morrison and Merle Ogle.
The Soprano family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Buena Vista Hospice, the Lexington, Victoria Care Center, Santa Paula Hospital, St. John’s Medical Center, Community Memorial Hospital and VC Medical Center for the exceptional care Len received.
Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 7th at St. Sebastian Church, 235 N 9th Street, Santa Paula followed by interment at Pierce Brothers Cemetery 380 Cemetery Road. Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary.
