Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Rosario; brother, Mario Leonardi. Survived by children, Mary (Richard) Fimbres, Livio (Marianna) and Paul (Mary); ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, sister, Angiolina Longinotti from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; nephew and godson, Franco and Paolo Leonardi from Cavignaga di Bedonia, Prov. Di Parma, Italy. Livio was a World War II veteran of the Partigiani D'Italia Sezione Monte Penna. In 1968 The Italian Ministry of Defense on behalf of The President of the Italian Republic presented him the Military Cross of Valor "honoring not only his spirit, but courage during combat as well. He was always one of the first on the front lines during dangerous actions. During a bold sabotage operation, he found himself surrounded by the enemies. Without losing his spirit, he retaliated promptly with the appropriate firearms, thereby holding back the adversary, giving the reinforcements ample time to intervene and to turn the tides of battle in their favour."
In 1992 he retired from St. Mary's Hospital with 38 years of service and from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic with 25 years of service. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1200 and also a member of LULAC Council 1057. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at BRING'S MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 236 South Stone Avenue. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 10, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish, 801 N. Grande Avenue. Interment to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Sisters Retirement Fund c/o Carondelet Foundation, 120 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716, in memory of Livio Leonardi.
