Leonard P. Montanari, 81, of Wellesley, a loving husband, beloved father and cherished grandfather ‘Nonno’ passed away suddenly and peacefully on December 18, 2020. Lenny spent all but three of his 81 years in Wellesley (Seaver St., Washington St., Westerly St.)
Lenny was born and raised in Wellesley, MA to the late Nelson and Doris (Balboni) Montanari and graduated from Wellesley High School in 1957. He was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard in 1964. Lenny worked at General Motors and later at F. Deihl and Son where he was employed for 20+ years as a Paint Clerk and retired as Deihl’s Hardware Manager. Lenny will be remembered as a fixture in the paint department and by his distinctive voice which could be heard throughout the store. He also became a neighborhood dog walker after retirement; Maggie and Hudson were two of his regulars.
Lenny was active in the community as a member of the Reliance Club, Italo-American Club, Town Meeting Member and assisted with Little League and Cub Scouts. He could be seen playing in the old Thursday Night Softball League, walking around town or working in his yard and garden. He will always be remembered for living in ‘Little Italy’ surrounded by amazing neighbors.
Lenny loved his family unconditionally and found true happiness in their success and well-being. Lenny met his wife of 57 years, Rita, at the old Sunshine Dairy in Wellesley in 1961. He is survived by Rita and their two sons, James Montanari and wife Christina of Danvers, MA and Michael Montanari and wife Dana of Edmonds, WA; grandchildren Samuel, Elizabeth, Madelyn, Spencer and Patrick; brother Allan Montanari of Wellesley and his partner, Charlene (Medway), sister Denise (Montanari) Rogers and her husband Dwight ‘Smitty’, also of Wellesley; in-laws (Fay family) from Galway, Ireland Angela and Peg, Noel and wife Mary, and Eamon and wife Loretta; many wonderful nieces and nephews in the States and Ireland.
A private funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Wellesley followed by a private interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, cancer.org or the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005, heart.org.