Mr. John De Leonardis' Obituary
On June 11, 2015, at the conclusion of the Warriors 2nd NBA Playoff win over Cleveland, John “Bepo” De Leonardis smiled and peacefully succumbed to the complications of the stroke that had debilitated him six days earlier leaving him in a coma. He was born in New York City and spent his youth and young adulthood in the “Italian” section of New York City. Before finishing high school he was drafted into the military in March 1946 and served as a Military Policeman. He received the WW II Victory Medal for his service in Korea. Upon his return from service he reenrolled at Murray Hill Vocational High School, where in 1948 he obtained his diploma in Auto Mechanics. John worked for 5 years for the B.F. Goodrich Tire Co. until he found his true calling in the construction industry. He worked in this trade until his retirement at the age of 76, working his way up from a general laborer to a labor foreman and ultimately Project Superintendent. John married the love of his life, Olga Hernandez, on February 8, 1958. John specialized in high-rise construction and in 1962 he and his family relocated to California. Some of the buildings he worked on included: The San Francisco Federal Building, the twin 80-story Standard Oil of California buildings, the early parking structures at the San Francisco International Airport and senior housing buildings in Oakland. John loved to cook Italian food, specializing in tomato sauce or as it was known: “The Gravy.” John also enjoyed going to horseracing establishments, whether it was at a racetrack or at Off Track Betting. He especially enjoyed the company of family and friends, talking about food, cooking, politics, sports, old times or how he did at O.T.B. that day. He was preceded in death by his parents Domenico and Vita Marie, his two sisters and brother-in-law Theresa Mellace and Angelina (Joseph La Valle), his two brothers Philip and Rocco and nephew Dominic De Leonardis. He is survived by his wife of 57 years and closest companion, Olga, his brother Michael De Leonardis (Madeline) of Port Washington, NY, his sisters-in-law Beverly De Leonardis of Central Point, OR, Rosie De Leonardis of New York and Tina De Leonardis of Vermont, his brother-in-law Hugo Mellace, his daughter, Jo Marie Pierson (Scott) and their children, Ramsey and Julian of Union City, his son John Paul De Leonardis (Rosalie) and their children, Domonic and Joseph of Tracy, his stepson, Stephan L.A. Santini (Theresa Snowden) and their children, Alberto Gonzalez, Autumn Gonzalez, Shaw and Sharde of Stockton and many nieces, nephews and friends.
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