Gerome James Leone

Gerome James Leone, 80, of New Milford, died unexpectedly on March 31, at Danbury Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Eleanor Leone of New Milford; his children Christopher Gerome Leone of Newtown, Eugene J.M. Leone of Chicago, Ill., Joan Leone of Mooresville, N.C., and Gerome James Leone, Jr, of New York City;  and grandchildren, Julianna, Dominique, and Michael.

Mr Leone was born in New York City on April 10, 1923, son of the late Joseph and Antoinette Leone, and grandson of Luisa Leone, founder of Mama Leone’s Restaurant, a New York City landmark for decades.

Mr Leone graduated from Xavier High School; Loyola University, Los Angeles; and Fordham Law School. He served in the US Navy during World War II.

Following an honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to New York and completed Fordham Law School. Upon graduation Mr Leone became an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of New York and became active in politics.

In 1975 Gerome married Carolyn Eleanor Gilman and began a new career at New York University Law School.

After retirement to Connecticut from NYU in 1993, he entered a final phase of his professional life that saw him create a business and introduce the process of fresh pasta to area supermarkets. Meanwhile he stayed active in politics and education in both New York and Connecticut.

His free time was spent enjoying reading, cooking, studying horses, and traveling abroad with his wife.

A wake was held at the Lillis Funeral Home in New Milford on April 3 and April 4, and a funeral mass was held April 5 at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, New Milford.

Donations in his memory may be made to Gerome Leone Scholarship, c/o New Milford Board of Education, New Milford CT 06776.

The Newtown Bee        April 9, 2004