Paul D. Leone of Newton, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on January 14, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born on November 18, 1929, the son of Italian immigrants Cesidio Leone and Giuseppa Cellucci from San Donato Val di Comino, Frosinone Province, Lazio, Italy. Paul lived a life marked by an unwavering commitment to family and community. Paul was proud of being a descendant of San Donato and of growing up in Nonantum, known by its residents as "The Lake”, a village in Newton.
Paul served his country in both the United States Army and the United States Air Force. After his military service, he continued to serve his community as a Newton Firefighter, embodying courage and selflessness.
Paul was a man of integrity, respect and resilience. His word was his commitment. His example taught the importance of honesty and good character to his children and grandchildren. He was good natured, happy-go-lucky with an ever-present sense of hope and a sharp sense of humor.
Paul was a devoted husband to Rita, his cherished wife of 59 years, and, a good father to their 6 children. He provided a stable home environment for his family often working 3 jobs to do so. He shared his interests with his children and supported their individual aspirations. Paul wholeheartedly embraced his role as a grandfather to ten grandchildren and as a great-grandfather to seven great-grandchildren.
Paul was a parishioner of St. Bernard Parish. He was a member of the American Legion Post 440 and active in a Christmas toy drive for children in the Nonantum, MA neighborhood. Paul had a deep love for the game of golf, which began at the age of 10 when he started work as a caddie. Whether it was the countless hours he spent on the course honing his skills and building lifelong friendships or the many evenings spent teaching his grandkids how to putt in the back hallway, golf was a cherished part of his life.
He is survived by his six children June and her husband Luis Tamayo, Paul and his wife Julie (Chambers), Gail and her husband Patrick Vardaro, Donald and his partner Ivonne Reveron, and sons Tom and Larry, his ten grandchildren: Jessica and her husband Thomas, Patrick, Nick and his wife Bridget, Marissa, Lucas, Kaitlin, Ally and her husband Mark, Nelson, Cara and Jena, and his seven great-grandchildren: Jacob, Lucia, Stevelle, Sophia, Solene, Michael and Shai. Paul is also survived by his brother Lawrence J. Leone and his wife Jean, of Leominster and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rita (Baccari) Leone, and his parents Cesidio and Giuseppa (Cellucci) Leone. He was the brother of the late Pompei, Joseph, Gerard, Anthony, Anne and Mary Leone.
Visiting hours will be held at Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St, Newton on Monday, January 20 from 3-7pm and again on Tuesday morning at 9am before proceeding to St. Bernard Parish, 1523 Washington St, West Newton for a 10am Funeral Mass. A burial with Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waltham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's honor to:
St Mary of Carmen Society (https://stmaryofcarmen.org) or the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund (https://www.ouimet.org).