Obituary for Leo L Lattizori
Leo L. Lattizori, 88, of West Hartford, passed away in the loving embrace of his family on Sunday, November 18th, at the age of 88. He was born on January 24th, 1930, to the late Leone and Adriana Lattizori, and was the beloved husband of Teresa DePasquale Lattizori, with whom he shared a beautiful marriage of 61 yrs.
Leo was a 1948 graduate of Weaver High School and a Veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, after which he worked as a draftsman for Pratt & Whitney. He then worked successfully as a purchasing agent for the Fuller Brush Company. Yet, he always felt a call to the teaching profession and taught drafting one evening a week at the Wethersfield State Penitentiary. After attending night school and earning his certification, he taught in the CT State Vocational System at Vinal Tech in Middletown and E.C. Goodwin Tech in New Britain. He was a natural and gifted teacher, devoted to the successes of his students, both in and outside of the classroom. In 1988, he was selected as E.C. Goodwin’s Teacher of the Year. After his retirement, he returned part time as a math/drafting tutor. Over the years, many former students have contacted “Mr. Latt” to express their gratitude for the positive and profound impact he had on their lives, and to tell him simply, “You were the best teacher I ever had.”
During his 30 plus years of retirement, Leo remained very active and led a vibrant life enriched by a large circle of friends, who ranged in age from octogenarians to toddlers. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Rockledge Men’s Club. The Tuesday-Thursday Men’s League provided him with competition, camaraderie, and friendship. In the off- season, he enjoyed bowling and playing cards with his golf buddies. Every year, he planted his garden and shared its bounty with family and friends. He could fix anything. He was a devoted friend to many, and possessed a basic instinct to help anyone in need, at any time. As a proud veteran, Leo particularly looked forward to participating in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Charter Oak School, during which he taught the 5th Graders about the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the WWII pilots, when along with supplies, they air-dropped candy for the children in war torn West Germany.
By far, the greatest joy in Leo’s life was his family. Besides his wife, he leaves his 3 children and their spouses, Lisa and Al Mancini, Steven and Robin Lattizori, and John and Andrea Lattizori. He was “Nonno” to his cherished grandchildren: Christina, her husband Geoffrey, Marc, Michael, Lauren, Jack, Mackenzie, and Kyle. This year, he was blessed and thrilled with the birth of his great-grandson, Jackson. He is also survived by his nephew Michael Bonzagni and his wife Ann, and his niece Donna Bonzagni. Leo was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Cecilia and Rena. His interest, care, concern, generosity, and love for his family and friends were boundless.
A devout Catholic, Leo was an altar boy during his youth and was educated “by the nuns” at St. Patrick’s School in Hartford. He was a founding member of the Church of St. Helena and worked hard to nurture the new parish community. He served many terms as a parish councilor, chairing the Education Committee with his dear friend, Dr. Robert Brynga. He was a regular at daily morning mass offered by the late Fr. John Pesce at the Holy Family Monastery, and was currently a communicant of St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 24th at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. Everyone is requested to meet at the Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Friday, Nov 23, from 4 to 7pm at the Sheehan-Hilborn- Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, 386 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or at www.epilepsyct.com Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
Leo was a 1948 graduate of Weaver High School and a Veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, after which he worked as a draftsman for Pratt & Whitney. He then worked successfully as a purchasing agent for the Fuller Brush Company. Yet, he always felt a call to the teaching profession and taught drafting one evening a week at the Wethersfield State Penitentiary. After attending night school and earning his certification, he taught in the CT State Vocational System at Vinal Tech in Middletown and E.C. Goodwin Tech in New Britain. He was a natural and gifted teacher, devoted to the successes of his students, both in and outside of the classroom. In 1988, he was selected as E.C. Goodwin’s Teacher of the Year. After his retirement, he returned part time as a math/drafting tutor. Over the years, many former students have contacted “Mr. Latt” to express their gratitude for the positive and profound impact he had on their lives, and to tell him simply, “You were the best teacher I ever had.”
During his 30 plus years of retirement, Leo remained very active and led a vibrant life enriched by a large circle of friends, who ranged in age from octogenarians to toddlers. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Rockledge Men’s Club. The Tuesday-Thursday Men’s League provided him with competition, camaraderie, and friendship. In the off- season, he enjoyed bowling and playing cards with his golf buddies. Every year, he planted his garden and shared its bounty with family and friends. He could fix anything. He was a devoted friend to many, and possessed a basic instinct to help anyone in need, at any time. As a proud veteran, Leo particularly looked forward to participating in the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Charter Oak School, during which he taught the 5th Graders about the humanitarian efforts undertaken by the WWII pilots, when along with supplies, they air-dropped candy for the children in war torn West Germany.
By far, the greatest joy in Leo’s life was his family. Besides his wife, he leaves his 3 children and their spouses, Lisa and Al Mancini, Steven and Robin Lattizori, and John and Andrea Lattizori. He was “Nonno” to his cherished grandchildren: Christina, her husband Geoffrey, Marc, Michael, Lauren, Jack, Mackenzie, and Kyle. This year, he was blessed and thrilled with the birth of his great-grandson, Jackson. He is also survived by his nephew Michael Bonzagni and his wife Ann, and his niece Donna Bonzagni. Leo was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Cecilia and Rena. His interest, care, concern, generosity, and love for his family and friends were boundless.
A devout Catholic, Leo was an altar boy during his youth and was educated “by the nuns” at St. Patrick’s School in Hartford. He was a founding member of the Church of St. Helena and worked hard to nurture the new parish community. He served many terms as a parish councilor, chairing the Education Committee with his dear friend, Dr. Robert Brynga. He was a regular at daily morning mass offered by the late Fr. John Pesce at the Holy Family Monastery, and was currently a communicant of St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 24th at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. Everyone is requested to meet at the Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Friday, Nov 23, from 4 to 7pm at the Sheehan-Hilborn- Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, 386 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or at www.epilepsyct.com Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com