Leonardo Colavita's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Leonardo Colavita, 85, of Syracuse, New York on January 26, 2023. He has returned home to the embrace of our loving and merciful Father in heaven. Born in Sant’Elia a Pianisi, Campobasso, Italy on March 24, 1937 to Antonio and Nicolina (Testa) Colavita. He is survived by his children, Marilina (Michael) Quigley and Anthony (Stephanie) Colavita; grand-children, Nicholas and Alyssa Quigley and Julianna and Ava Colavita; and great-grand child, Lorenzo; along with his sisters-in-law, Angelina (Giovanni) Cappuccilli, and Mary Margaret Pallotta, both of Syracuse, and Angelina Colavita of Italy; several nieces, nephews, and cousins who reside in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Spain, and Italy. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Angelantonia, his parents, and his siblings, Maria (Nicolino) Mancini of Venezuela, Salvatore Colavita of Italy, and Pasqualina (Pasqualino) Santopolo of Italy, and brother-in-law, Christopher Pallotta.
Born in Italy just before the second World War, he recalled the conflict and the retreat of the German soldiers as the Americans advanced through his town liberating Italy. He spent his youth tending to the family’s grove of olive trees and other family affairs including the sale of grain. He served two years in the Italian Army, Tank Division, in Caserta, Italy. In 1965, at the age of 27, he emigrated to the United States by himself where he resided with his uncle, Francesco (Emelia) Testa. He subsequently met his wife and love during that year in a class to learn the English language. They married the following year during the Winter Storm of ’66. He first worked for Tony Iorio Tile and Terrazzo Corp laying and grinding terrazzo floors at various institutions around the Syracuse area, including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Everson Museum and several local schools. He then worked at Solvay Process Company (later Allied Chemical) until the plant closed in 1985. He briefly worked at LCP Chemicals, Solvay, and later worked at Syracuse University where he eventually retired. In between jobs, he did several tile and brick jobs with his bother-in-law and friend, Giovanni Cappuccilli, remodeling homes of several friends and family members.
He took pride in his work and his accomplishments. He came to this country with very little and was always appreciative of the opportunities the United States of America provided for him to raise his family. He enjoyed working on many different projects involving tile work, bricks, and masonry, and enjoyed learning new trades, calling it a hobby, not work. He enjoyed tending to his fig trees, grape vines, and vegetable and flower gardens. He enjoyed sharing stories of the old country and visited his hometown often in his younger years. Most importantly, he loved all his family. He was also devoted to his Catholic faith and was a parishioner at Our Lady of Pompei Church, Syracuse. He was a good and simple man who always cared for others and exemplified the American dream.
The family would like to thank Dr. Louis Bonavita and staff at CNY Family Care, as well as Jeffrey Jones, PA, at AMP Urology of NY for his medical care.
Family and friends may call on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Leonardo’s life will take place at 11am, Thursday February 2, 2023, at Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Catholic Church, Syracuse, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse.
Donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org
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