Leo J. Polli, age 93, and a long- time resident of Burlington, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (D’Amato) Polli to whom he was married for 65 years.

He was born on May 18, 1922, in Boston to Isadoro and Columba (Frizzi) Polli. Leo was a successful businessman and began his career in cutlery sales in a business his father brought to the United States from the small town in the Italian Alps. In 1942, at age of 20, Leo entered the United States Army and became a Staff Sergeant and honorably served as a platoon leader in the 10th Mountain Division. He was deployed to Po Valley Italy in 1945 during WWII where he received several medals of Honor, one of which was a Purple Heart. Leo was a true patriot and his love of country was surpassed only by his love of family.

When Leo returned from the war he was married and resumed his career in cutlery with his father and later became a principal, along with his brother, of Superior Grinding Service which eventually became Supresco Industries. Leo expanded the business where he typically worked 15 hours a day until he retired at the age of 84.

Leo’s life was defined by humility, hard work, and his devotion to his country and family. He was a man of discipline, integrity and commitment. In his 93 years of life, he never went back on his word and he adhered to old school principles of sealing deals with a handshake and letting his actions speak louder than his words. Even during the last weeks of his life, Leo was still concerned about unfinished business and keeping the obligations he had made.

Leo enjoyed gardening in his yard and tackling home improvement projects about which he was a perfectionist but most of all, Leo loved spending time planning family activities and events of which there were many. Leo was also an avid sports fan, hiker, traveler and reader. He took many trips to spring training in Florida, wine country in California and he loved spending time on weekends in New Hampshire and Vermont to hike and relax. Leo also traveled many times to Italy, and spent his 50th wedding anniversary with his family on Lake Margiore in northern Italy and his 90th birthday in Rome with his daughter Anita and husband Patrick. He truly loved authentic Italian food and wine. Leo also was passionate about politics and was an avid reader of non-fiction and history. Just a few months before he died he finished his last book.

Leo was a devoted Catholic and a faithful communicant of St. Margaret’s Church in Burlington for close to 60 years.

Dedicated to his family (wife, five children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild), Leo was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Along with his wife, Leo is survived by his son Mark Leo Polli and his wife Bonnie (Vasile) of Scarborough, ME; his daughter Anita Maria Polli and her husband Patrick Plunkett of Boston. daughter Gail Elizabeth Polli and her husband James Farrelly of Norton. Daughter, Mary Terese Polli of Melrose. Son, Jason Matthew Polli and his wife Tara (Lilly) of Savannah, GA. Three Grandchildren, Jennifer (Polli) Burnham, Megan Polli and Leo James Farrelly, and one Great-granddaughter Noelle Olivia Burnham. Leo was predeceased by his brother Achille Polli and brother Ettore Polli. He leaves his sister Laura (Polli) Biagioni of Weston, and his brother John R. Polli of Genesee, CO and many nieces and nephews.

The Polli family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Charles Fuchs and the team at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the staff at Care Dimensions, his loyal caretakers Jesse Palacio and, Rose Marie Racca, his faithful neighbor Scott McCollum and Tim his physical therapist.






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