James Leo Tuite, Jr., 95, of Brockton, known as Leo, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at the VA Hospital in West Roxbury surrounded by members of his family.
Born in Woodside, Bucks County, PA on March 24, 1930, Leo was the oldest of the eight children of the late James Leo Tuite, Sr, and Margaret Quill. Growing up in Brockton, Leo attended St Patrick’s Grammar School and went on to Monsignor James Coyle High School in Taunton as a member of the Class of 1948. Leo was a 3-year varsity starter on the baseball team where he had a .400+ batting average in each of his three seasons. His performance earned him selections for the All-Bristol County Team and the Hearst Newspaper All New England Team.
Leo’s baseball career continued in August 1948 when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a catcher after being selected in a tryout camp. During his two years in the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system, he batted .302 and .326. Leo loved to talk about being at spring training with the legendary Jackie Robinson in 1949 and 1950 and telling stories about being roommates with the former Red Sox manager Don Zimmer.
Leo’s baseball career ended in 1951 when he was drafted into the Army instead of reporting to spring training. He served 2 years until he was honorably discharged on March 6, 1953. Though his professional playing days were behind him, Leo carried his love for the game throughout his entire life. This passion was later recognized when he was inducted into Coyle's Warrior Hall of Fame in 2001 and The City of Brockton Hall of Fame in 2023, filling him with immense pride.
After the service, Leo focused on his higher education attending Bentley School of Accounting in Boston, MA graduating with a Certificate of Accounting in 1958. He later attended evening classes at Northeastern University earning a BS in Accounting and Business Management in 1977. During this time, Leo worked as District Manager – Budgets for NYNEX until he retired in 1987 after 25 years of service after which he worked independently as an accountant with his own Income Tax Service until fully retiring in 2015.
It was while playing ball that Leo met the love of his life, Edda Fiacco. They married on November 21, 1953, at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, NY. Leo and Edda shared 57 years of marriage before she passed away in 2011. Throughout their marriage they raised six children and loved their ten grandchildren from their home in Brockton. Leo particularly cherished attending his grandchildren's extracurricular activities and athletic events, engaging in various sports, especially baseball, and delving into books on religion and sports.
When he was not spending time with his family, Leo found immense fulfillment in genealogy, meticulously piecing together the branches of countless family trees. More than a hobby, his pursuit in this area underscored a deep appreciation for the ties that bind us and the rich legacy of our shared ancestry.
The cornerstone of Leo's life was his unwavering faith in God. Leo lived his faith in his love for his family, the Church, and his dedication to the value of charity, driving his tireless commitment to community service. He actively participated in numerous organizations, leaving a lasting impact through his involvement with the American Legion Post 35, Knights of Columbus Seville Council No 93, Telephone Pioneers of America, Father Peyton Guild – Connie Harvey Chapter, and St. Vincent de Paul Society (Christ the King Church). He also found joy as a Eucharistic Minister at Good Samaritan Hospital and volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul food bank. Throughout Leo’s life, it was in his deep-rooted faith that he found the solace he needed in his most difficult moments and the joy to celebrate his happiest moments.
Leo is survived by his sisters Mary Devlin of Morrisville PA, Sr. Teresa Tuite O.P. of Gahanna OH, his brother Edward Tuite and his wife Sandra of Bridgewater, MA, his brother-in-law, Stephen Fiacco of Bridgewater, MA, sister-in-law Mary Fiacco of Hornell, NY. He is also survived by his children/children-in-law: Suzanne Tuite of Middleboro, MA, Margie Tuite and Gingi Booras of Swampscott MA, Patty Oliari and her husband Mark of Bridgewater, MA, James Tuite and his wife Rosemary of Bridgewater, NH, Stephen Tuite of Shrub Oak, NY and Robert Tuite and his wife Debbie of Auburn, NH; his ten grandchildren: Janelle Lieb and her husband Billy, Shawn Tuite and his wife Hallie, Danielle Oliari and her husband Scott Hile, Paul Oliari and his wife Amanda, Stephanie Oliari and her husband Matt Galligan, Emily Tuite and her fiancée Hunter Small, Matthew, Jack, Rob, and Lauren Tuite; and his eleven great grandchildren: Sophia, Madison Paisley, Kendall, Arianna, Ryan, Anthony, Adam, Harper, Claire and Benjamin.
He was predeceased by his brothers Daniel and William Tuite, his sisters Margaret Tuite and Ann Lyons, his brothers-in-law Ezio and Robert Fiacco, sister-in-law Carol Fiacco, his son Daniel, and daughter-in-law, Anne.
Leo's kindness and generosity created a lasting ripple effect, cherished by his extended family, friends, and all whose lives he touched. Though he leaves behind a void that can never truly be filled, the memories we share will continue to guide and inspire us.
Visiting hours will be at Conley Funeral Home at 138 Belmont Street in Brockton, MA on Monday, August 18th from 4 to 7pm. Leo’s Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, August 19th at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 433 West Street, Brockton, MA at 10:30am. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, N. Cary Street, Brockton. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Leo’s family request that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. www.stjude.org/donate