Leonard Robert Cervone, ”Sugar" age 92, of Somerville passed away at home on Sunday, June 14th. Born in Medford, he was the youngest son of the late Battista and Concetta (Vasta) Cervone. Leonard proudly served in the Army during the years of the Korean War before getting married and starting a family.
Sugar had a great zest for life, everywhere he went he touched people in big and small ways. His mild affable nature, his smile and his big easy laugh were hallmarks that made people love him everywhere he went, and many were the recipients of his joy, generosity and humor.
He was an athlete from his youth, playing and ultimately coaching four Medford Mustangs High School championship teams. All of his life he was an avid fan of Boston's sports teams, especially the Patriots and the Celtics. He was a true music lover and a Jazz aficionado, and he loved ball-room dancing which he did with Marie and their many friends every week for many decades.
A lover of the outdoors and the beach, he grew up going to Hampton Beach where the family had cottages for many years. To this day he talked about walking his summer baby, Constance, on the boardwalk there, and he returned to the shore at any opportunity. He loved his home on Winter Hill, with its big back yard and he was especially fond of BBQing for his family. He enjoyed nature close to home, the Medford Woods and the Border Roads where he picked mushrooms with his own father as a child. Like his daughter Elena, he loved the mountains of New Hampshire, took his children to Lake Winnepesaukee in the summer, and spent time at Franconia Notch with his companion, Marie, in the fall. A highlight of his life was his trip to Italy with his son, Leonard Jr., who wanted to share his ancestral home and family with his Dad.
Leonard Sr. loved his family and children dearly, and said many times during his illness how overjoyed he was to have his kids and their sweet pets, Pippin and Stella, all around him during these past 11 months. As he wished, he was blessed to live in his home until his last days, being lovingly cared for by his devoted daughter Elena and with the help of a wonderful personal aid, Marie Launese Telusma, who we all grew to deeply appreciate, especially Sugar.
Leonard was the devoted father of Constance Cervone and her spouse Janet Deegan of Jamaica Plain, Elena "Nooch" Kristin Cervone of Roslindale and her fiancée Shaden Mat, and Leonard Cervone, Jr. and his fiancée Maura Quinlan of Somerville. He was the cherished grandfather of Angelique Cervone, his only treasured grandchild, and the loving companion of many years to Marie Pedro. Leonard Sr. was pre-deceased by his former wife Tina (Visconti), as well as five brothers and two sisters. He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews who he enjoyed spending time with over the years of his life.
To honor him, a graveside service will be conducted at Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Boston, on Saturday, June 20th at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Cars will gather at the main entrance of the cemetery at 10:45 AM. As an expression of sympathy, flowers may be sent to the Dello Russo Funeral Home at 306 Main Street in Medford, or contributions may be sent in Leonard Sr.'s name to St. Joseph's Indian School online at www.stjo.org, or Veterans of Foreign Wars online at www.heroes.vfw.org.