Lee was survived by his brother Walter, two sons: Jeff and Mike, and 6 grandchildren: Nathan, Tiiffany, Jenny-Lynn, Charlie, Henry and Sarah.
An intimate family service will be taking place on Thursday, October 15th at Oakdale Memorial Park and Mortuary in Glendora, California.
I remember one Christmas Eve I was walking around the house, waiting for the time to open presents (because as kids that's what you do on Christmas). I come out of the bathroom and walk into grandpa in the living room near the fireplace. He sees me looking excited and asks me how I'm doing.
I say, "Great! Christmas is like everyone's birthday! We all get presents!"
He gives me a semi stern look and says, "No, Christmas is Jesus's Birthday."
And I reply with, "Okay," then I went to the kitchen to eat salami or something.
At the time I was 10 and I didn't know that much about religion nor did I really care for it. But for some reason that memory always comes up around Christmas time, and I'll never forget it.
Several years ago I learned that Jesus wasn't even born on the 25th of Deccember, but I never told him. Partly because I didn't want any confrotation, and mostly because I didn't want to test the stabability of his faith since relgion was his only way of coping with death of grandma.
As Jeff and I were getting ready to be married, Lee (I mostly knew him as Lee and not Leo) approached me and told me in all seriousness: "Remember, the secret to a happy marriage is 60/60." I looked at him and thought he was just trying to confuse me. But he had picked my curiosity, so I asked: "60/60?"
"Yes, 60/60," he replied. Okay, the man had lost it. Or, was he just pulling my leg? He liked to tease me that way. But no, he was serious. He started to explain to me that in order for a couple to last as long as him and Nadine had lasted, one had to give more than he or she received. Enhance the "60/60"
His philosophy was that if one person gave out 60%, then one probably would receive 60% back. I thought that was pretty clever and told him, I would give it "80/80"
Of course, we both laughed and went on with our conversation. However, to this day, there is rarely one day that goes by where I don't recall that moment. Yes, in fact, every day I make sure I give it all I can. I always make sure.
Don't worry Dad, I will not forget.
"60/60" all the way!
