Joseph A. Leone, Sr.

Saratoga Springs – Joseph A. Leone, Sr., of Grand Avenue, passed away Thursday (Jan. 17, 2008) at Saratoga Hospital. He was 81.

Born on Feb. 21, 1926 in Saratoga Springs, NY, he was the son of the late Lazzaro and Louise (Dominick) Leone and was a lifelong resident. He attended Saratoga Springs schools and was a US Navy veteran of World War Two. For many years he was employed by various contracting firms, including Wade Lupe Construction, and was proud to have worked on the construction of St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church in the mid-1960s.

He was a member of Dominick Smaldone Post 35 ITAM (Italian American War Veterans) and the Schenectady Laborer’s Union Local 157. Following his retirement in 1983, he worked for the New York Racing Association for several years. He loved spending time with his family and always enjoyed gardening.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by one brother, Michael Leone and one sister, Anna Catone.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Clementine (Linda) Piroli Leone, whom he married on Sept. 20, 1953; one daughter, Nancy (Gary) Willette and one son, Joseph A. (Virginia) Leone, Jr., all of Saratoga Springs; eight grandchildren, Amy and Jamie Richards, Shannon (Andrew) Lawler, Renee and Chris Willette, Vincent, Angela and Nicholas Leone; two great-grandchildren, Amber Willette and Andrew Lawler, Jr.; one brother, Lazzaro Leone of Schenectady and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends called Sunday at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday in St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave., by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia. Burial with military honors will follow at the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Capital District Chapter, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206-2083 or to the American Heart Assoc., NENY Area, 440 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.