DUDLEY- Leo Henry Biron, affectionately known as "Chico”, passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 83 at home surrounded by his loving family. A resident of Dudley, Massachusetts, Leo was born on May 29, 1943, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, to the late Henry Louis Leo Biron and Dorothy Ann (Coogan) Biron.
Leo shared 61 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Patricia Carol (Dembinski) Biron. Together they built a family that was the center of his life and greatest source of pride.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Michelle Biron-Bedard of Woodstock, CT, Lee and wife Lisa Biron, Melissa and husband Mike Hogan, and Leslie and husband Craig Pietz, all of Dudley, MA. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to his cherished "Dirty Dozen": Donovan, Miranda, Kayla, Talia, Devin, Ashley, Tristan, Skylar, Nicholas, Riley, Sierra, and Alyse. He leaves behind seven beloved great-grandchildren: Jackson, Carson, Georgia, Adaline, Lucas, Nolan, and Charlotte. Leo is also survived by his siblings Nancy Byron, Patricia Biron, David and wife Sarah Biron, Eloise and husband Lenny Orsini, Marcia and husband David Vajcovec, Denise and husband Joe Tokarz, and Daniel Biron.
Leo graduated from Bartlett High School in 1961. He continued his football career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating in 1966. His passion for sports, education, and mentoring young people would shape the course of his life's work.
A lifelong educator and coach, Leo began his coaching career at Walpole High School and Milford High School before embarking on the career that would define his legacy at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley. Being hired as the first athletic director, he was known as the "Founding Father of Shepherd Hill Football." Leo served as the program's first Head Coach during its inaugural season in 1973 and remained at the helm for 18 seasons.
Beyond the football field, Leo dedicated his life to education as a physical education teacher there. He was more than a teacher and coach: he was a mentor, role model, and source of inspiration for generations of students and athletes. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or at home, Leo lived by the values of hard work, discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and integrity. He passed those principles on to his children, grandchildren, and all those fortunate enough to know him.
In addition, family was at the heart of everything Leo did. He gave “110 percent” effort to every role he embraced, none of which was more significant than being a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, brother, and friend. He remained deeply connected to family near and far, maintaining close relationships with cousins across the country and never missing an opportunity to bring loved ones together. Leo was a constant presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren (and greats). His unwavering devotion, boundless generosity, and unconditional support left an enduring mark on the lives of all who knew him.
He would have wanted us to remind you that “expressions of kindness and love cannot be overdone. As you see, yesterday is gone, today is almost over, and tomorrow is not promised.”
Memorial calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from noon to 4:00 at Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home at 340 School Street, Webster. The family requests flowers be omitted and instead, donations be made to The Leo Biron Memorial Scholarship in C/O Miranda Sgariglia at 4 Riverside Drive, Webster, MA 01570, ensuring that Leo's commitment to education, athletics, and the success of future generations continues for years to come.