Obituary of Gaetano Leonardi

Gaetano Leonardi was born on January 4th, 1932 in Augusta, Sicily, the second of six children born to Filomena (Bellistri) and Francesco Leonardi. He immigrated with his family to the United States after World War II, and the Leonardi's established a home in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, NY. In his early years in NY, he worked as a Mason alongside his father and older brother Frank Jr. Gaetano was a handsome and sharp dresser. His sophisticated appearance and style reminiscent of the movie stars of the Fifties and Sixties. He had a passion for singing and told of the weekends he would sing at the Italian social club in Brooklyn. He would also sing, if given the chance, at family birthday parties, weddings, communions, and confirmations. He was an amateur architect, designing and constructing replica models of the Verrazano Bridge, Roman Coliseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Statue of Liberty out of fence wire. Gaetano is survived by his sister Rosetta Favazza (Leonardi) and Brother in-law Natale Favazza, Brother in-law Gaetano DiMauro of Warren, Mich. and Cousin Rosemarie Bellistri of East Brunswick, NJ. He is also survived as Uncle, Great Uncle and Great "Great" Uncle to many Nephews and Nieces. Gaetano is pre deceased by Dominck and Rini Bellistri, Frank and Anna Leonardi, Josephine DiMauro (Leonardi), Victor Leonardi, Beatrice Mulligan (Leonardi) and Dr. Frank Favazza. Visitation will be Thursday January 11th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Blvd. Staten Island, NY. Priest service at 11:00 AM and burial at 12:00 Noon to follow at Resurrection Cemetery 361 Sharrott Avenue Staten Island, NY.