ForeverMissed
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George Joseph Leotti was born on April 18, 1956.  He was the 2nd oldest of what would eventually be 5 children. After dropping out of school in 9th grade he started working different jobs. Then, what turned out to be the blessing of a lifetime, he became a Dad at the age of 16. 
In 1974, at 18, in a life changing diving accident, he drowned, broke his neck and severed his spinal cord.  He died several times on the way to the hospital but he fought his way back each time.  They put him in traction, gave him a tracheotomy and told him he would never walk again and would be a quadriplegic.  He spent a year in hospitals and rehabilitation at Magee Rehab in Philadelphia. 
While most of us would have given up on life believing we weren’t strong enough to go on, George told his mother, “I’ve spent 18 years building my body, now I’ll spend the rest of my life building my mind”.  And that’s exactly what he did. Of course, there were times of struggle, but he always kept a positive attitude about his life. 
He studied hard, on his own, and quickly became a self-taught computer programmer.  He worked creating computer software programs for other disabled people and giving day-to-day support for those programs. His mother devoted the rest of her life to caring for him. And, like any other mama bear, protected him in every way possible. She made damn sure that anyone who helped take care of him did it her way or they were out. When she had a stroke, she had to succumb to needing help, which was not easy for her. Entrusting the care of her son to others was a big hurdle. Eventually a few passed the test. And they all became as devoted to George as she was. They would walk through snowstorms to get to him so he could get out of bed. Sleep in their cars so they could be there to put him back to bed.  George inspired devotion and caring. When his Mom passed away in 2010, he went to live with his brother, Joe and his family in Mullica Hill, NJ. 
Again, his caregivers there, Kate and Mandy, were dedicated to his care and well being. And when he loves you, he’s just as devoted back. 
George’s kind nature, loving spirit, resourcefulness, intelligence and smart-ass wit made him a great person to be around. 
Over the years he developed some health issues that he fought off each time. But they eventually caught up with him and he could no longer fight. Just as he lived his life, he left this world on his own terms. 
George passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2019. Pre-deceased by mother Nancy Lockhart (née Leotti) (née Beebe) and father George Leotti; Devoted Father of Charlotte Miller and grandfather of Becky Barbieri. Dear brother of Joseph Leotti, Edward Leotti, Cyndi Guyer (Leotti), Mark Leotti, Randy Leotti, Antoinette Pearson (Leotti), Vicki Blanchard (Leotti) Sharon Ollinger (pre-deceased), Tom Ollinger, and Alan Leotti. Caring brother-in-law to Maria Leotti, Karla Leotti, Linda Leotti, Don Guyer, John Pearson, Patti Leotti and Esthie Ollinger, Suzanne Leotti and Kathy Leotti.  Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews; Kate and Bill Leotti, Jeremy and Zoey Guyer, Dominic, Nick (pre-deceased), Rachel, Michele and Vinny Leotti, Alan Leotti, Jr., Stephanie De Rouen, Sydnie Blanchard, Joseph and Luca Leotti, Serena, Georgiana and Faith Pearson, Natasha Johnson, Michael and David Ollinger. 
We ask anyone who knew and loved George as much as we all did to celebrate him. Raise a glass in his memory and live your life to the fullest as he did regardless of what the universe has in store for you. 
George - you were well loved, well cared for and had a life well lived. We will miss you always. 


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