Obituary of Henry Edward Leone

Henry Edward Leone M/Sgt USAF (Ret), age 86, of Trumbull, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Henry passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Ann Miller Leone for 64 years and father to nine children, 28 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

Born on August 30, 1921 in New Haven, CT, he was the son of the late Henry Edward Leone and Anna (Raccio) Leone and resided in Trumbull for 48 years. He proudly served in the U. S. Air Force for twenty years defending his country; participating in 125 combat missions during World War II before retiring in 1959. After retiring from the military, Henry continued in government service working for the Veterans Administration in West Haven where he retired after 20 years. Henry was educated in New Haven and received his college degree in Bridgeport. He was proud to receive and display numerous medals and ribbons awarded during his years of service in World War II and the Korean Conflict. Henry was an honorable member of the Caterpillar Club, indicating that he had been forced to bail out of his plane several times under enemy fire. His last tour of duty was with the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War.

In addition to his parents he was pre-deceased by his sister Elvera Turney.

Along with his wife, survivors include his children, MaryAnn Thomas of Florida, Marcella Leone of Trumbull, Dianna Denne of Stratford, Henry Leone III of Trumbull, Peter Leone and his wife Debra of Beacon Falls, Eugene Leone and his wife Karen of Easton, Toni Braese and her husband Anthony of Milford, Leslie Collins and her husband James of Trumbull, Lisa Cotter of Stratford, a brother, Eugene Leone and his wife Anne of Wallingford, several nieces and nephews and dear family friends Dave and Debbie Nakano of Trumbull.

Henry was an avid ballroom and tap dancer and loved playing the harmonica and violin. Always a loyal patriot and fun-loving beloved family man, Henry will be missed by all who knew him.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. directly in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull. Interment with full military honors will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. A Gathering celebrating his life will take place on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.