Leonard (Leo) B. Maggiotta formerly of Somerville, passed away surrounded by family at RiverCourt Residences in Groton on October 17th, 2021.
Leo was born in the North End of Boston on November 25th, 1922 as the son of Ignazio and Maria (Panteleo) Maggiotta of Sicily. Leo lived with his older sister, Emma, and his younger sister, Mary (Bebe) in Charlestown. As a boy, he spent his days with his best friends, Vinny and Ralph, at the Charlestown Boys Club, where he played trumpet in the band and enjoyed swimming and passing time with friends. Leo also had a paper route and would spend his earnings treating his mother and sisters to a jelly donut on Sundays or an ice cream soda on a hot summer day. He developed a love for the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont when he became a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Up until his final days, he would recall his campouts and his connection with his scout leader. When Leo was in high school, the Maggiottas moved from Charlestown to Somerville. Leo embraced the move to Kensington Avenue, but he often spoke of his many walks to Charlestown to see his friends.
Leo was a proud graduate of the “Class of ’42” of Somerville High School. The day after his graduation, his father took him to Mass General Hospital where he filled out a job application and was hired in the Surgical Tools Maintenance Shop. In later years, he trained as a plumber and retired after 45 years of service retiring in 1987. The MGH became a second home for Leo as he truly loved his coworkers, as well as all of the staff, whom he would greet in the halls with a contagious smile, joke or warm handshake.
On October 26th,1952, Leo married the love of his life, Angie Grillo at St. Stephen’s Church in the North End. They lived in the North End at 3 Unity Street before moving to 57 Walnut Street in Somerville where they would raise their daughter, Janice, of whom they could not have been more loving or proud. Angie spoiled Leo for years with her gourmet meals, apple pies, and percolated coffee with biscotti. In turn, Leo was a devoted husband and father, who was always by Angie’s side during her many doctor appointments and hospitalizations.
Leo enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved the weekly summer cookouts at the Pentas, “coffee breaks” either at home or at DD with friends, day trips to Lake Region of NH, the White Mountains, and Wilson Farms, buying Half Moons and chocolate cupcakes for his grandsons Alex and Mark, playing cards with Mark and scratching lottery tickets with Alex, and most recently watching Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith with Janice at RiverCourt while having a cup of coffee. He loved and appreciated all of the advice and assistance that he got from his son-in-law, “Stevie” and was always excited to assist his nephew, Thomas, in the latest plumbing project.
After the passing of his beloved, Angie, Leo moved to Acton where he was cared for not only by Janice and Steve, but also his caregiver, Mark Neuhaus, who fast became Leo’s companion and good friend. In June of 2019, Leo moved to RiverCourt Residences in Groton where he was welcomed by a loving staff and Memory Care residents, who eventually became his second family. He enjoyed all of the music programs, animal visits, arts and crafts and sitting outside on the porch with the birds, breezes and sunshine. Most recently, Leo was also lovingly cared for by his hospice nurse, Harrison, and health aide, Deborah, from Care Dimensions.
Leo will be missed by all who knew him. He was a selfless man with a twinkle in his eyes, who loved life and being with family and friends. Although his memory faded over the years, he never forgot the people in his life or the events that mattered. The next time you are at DD or are enjoying a cup of coffee anywhere, think of Leo and savor the simple things.
A funeral mass will celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 262 Washington St., Somerville, on Friday, October 22nd at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private.
Donations in Leonard’s memory may be made to The Charlestown Boys and Girls Club https://www.bgcb.org/donate-now Please select the option Charlestown Club or send a check made payable to Charlestown Boys and Girls Club directly to The Charlestown Club, 15 Green Street, Charlestown, MA 02129.