ForeverMissed
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Joseph Charles Leotti passed away at home on July 29, 2022. Loving husband of nearly 40 years to Maria R. Leotti (Moretti). Devoted father of Sandra Marie Leotti, Michael Joseph Leotti (pre-deceased), William Joseph (Bill) Leotti, and Kathlina Maria (Kate) Leotti. Cherished brother of George Leotti (pre-deceased), Edward Leotti, Lucinda (Cyndi) Guyer (Leotti), Mark Leotti, Randy Leotti, Antoinette Pearson (Leotti), Vicki Blanchard (Leotti) Sharon Ollinger (pre-deceased), Tom Ollinger.  Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. 

Joe was born on February 19, 1958. Growing up poor, living in a housing project in Southwest Philadelphia with his 4 siblings and single mother, life was certainly hard. He dropped out of high school early on but went on to get his GED at the age of 17. He was a graduate of RETS Electronics School and was then offered a teaching position there, that he declined so that he could pursue other challenges. Joe truly was a self-made man. He worked tirelessly to gain the recognition and respect that he so deserved. 

Starting his career in Facilities at Temple University some 30 years ago, he quickly demonstrated just what an amazing guy he was and what a true asset he would be. Working his way up to Exec. Director of Telecommunications, he became relied on day and night for his expertise and his willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done.  The words that his colleagues use to describe him are “respected”, “brilliant”, “caring”, “tireless”, “amazing co-worker”, “incredible boss” and the list goes on. 

If you knew Joe, you know that he could fix anything! Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, woodworking (which was his passion), literally anything.  If he didn’t know right away how to fix it, he could figure it out.  

Obviously, his number one dedication was to his family. He worked just as hard at home than he did at work.  He was constantly making home improvements over the years and always extended his home to others in the family that needed help. They had a new home built in 2011 that would accommodate his in-laws and his disabled brother, George. He never wanted recognition for his generosity and was never stingy with his time and his skills. 

We all know that Joe was a man of few words. But when he did speak, you wanted to listen because it was usually something that you either wanted to hear, needed to hear or was something that needed to be said. Nothing was better than seeing his smile, because it was genuine. 

We are all richer for having known him and loved him.  As were his wishes, there will be no public services. The family will have a private get-together for a “Celebration of Life”. 

Please share your special memories of Joe by signing the guestbook.

Fertig Funeral Home


January 5
January 5
Thinking of you. Thank you, for everything.
February 19, 2023
February 19, 2023
Happy birthday, dad. You are so very missed.
All of my love, always,
♥️Kathlina
August 15, 2022
August 15, 2022
It's difficult to walk Temple's Campus and pick something Joe Leotti did not play some level of a supporting or leadership role in bringing to completion. Joe and I worked together from a distance for many years at Facilities. He was at Main, and I was at HSC. That all changed in 2014 when I came to join Joe as construction project manager in Telecommunications.

We bonded over the insurmountable amount of work he and I faced month after month. We shared similar abilities having a knack for fixing, building or designing solutions to sometimes complex problems. When it came to work Joe was one of the hardest, intelligent and most dedicated people I ever knew. Joe and I were solely responsible for designing, biding, managing more work in 8 years than many departments within Temple combined.

Many people at work misunderstood Joe given his hard exterior and “Mumbling Snarls”. Often, I would joke with other staff, just throw a large steak into the office and wait to see the reaction. =:0)
But when you got one finger threw the crack of the hardened exterior you found a man honest, straight forward, loyal, dedicated, kind and someone who supported you to the very end.

I will miss Joe dearly. Rest my Friend.
Until we get the opportunity to fish.

Theo
August 10, 2022
August 10, 2022
While I have only been at Temple for 20 years, it would be quite a feat to find some square foot of the university that hasn’t been influenced, fixed, rethought or improved because of Joe. No matter the challenge or task, he was laser focused on what was best for our students and he never cut corners to get there. On the days when I might need to be on campus before the sun rose, I would be dragging to find some coffee and Joe had already made his morning rounds. If a contractor was trying to get over on Temple, not only did they never make it over but they would never make the mistake of trying again.

So many of us worked a little easier and slept a little sounder knowing that Joe was on top of whatever needed to be done. And while he would never, ever be accused of being chatty, when he did share what was on his mind, it was on point and often made me smile. Especially if he was saying what was on my mind too, but I didn’t try saying out loud He made everything better, just by being involved.

We will continue to hold Joe and his family in our hearts and prayers,

August 10, 2022
August 10, 2022
Joe was a consummate professional. I worked with Joe during my first 17 years at Temple with POS and security installations throughout campuses as well as troubleshooting. He had a knack to clean up the mess I made when I trod too heavily around Union contractors during building installs that were falling behind and thus not signed over for internal support yet. Although it was at my expense when I heard the chuckles, I didn't mind, he was a bridge builder in a world I wasn't familiar with. Thanks for being that Bridge and available when needed for quick troubleshooting! You will be missed, Rest in Peace, my friend.
August 8, 2022
August 8, 2022
Although I have not known Joe for long, I quickly learned he was a great man. It was awesome working with him. He and I jelled as if we worked together for years. That is a testament on how Joe easily builds relationships that stand the test of time. He will surely be missed.

Rest in peace my brother!
August 8, 2022
August 8, 2022
It's hard to put into words how Joe touched so many lives. It would take lots of ink and paper to tell the stories. I looked at Joe as mentor, educator, leader, tough guy, funny man and one of a kind person with a huge heart. He changed my life in many positive ways. I will always be grateful for what Joe has done for me. The man, the myth, the legend... Gone but never forgotten.
Rest easy Joe.
August 6, 2022
August 6, 2022
No more pain Daddy, only peace.


**I will write a proper tribute when I can think about you without tears streaming down my face.
August 5, 2022
August 5, 2022
It hurts my heart that u went so soon without giving me a chance to meet the man who fathered my best and forever friend Kathlina Maria Leotti. Who is not only my best friend but someone i will hold forever dear,as she came to my aid in the instant that i fell into labor and helped me birth a baby i call ours... Azlyn Kieran... She was amazing. Holding my hand and as i had complications after, i trusted she would care for that beautiful bundle of joy as she did holding him tight while they took me into the O.R. she never left him or me a selfless kind and loving act committed by ur daughter when i woke she was there... I asked her to be the Godmother and as she fell in love with that little person she accepted.. I wanted so badly for u to meet this life that she helped me bring into the world.. In ur end days she was devastated and cried silently so u would only see the smiles as pain was digging away at her I told her she was strong and i would do anything to help her get through this. As I said i didnt get to meet u but all she ever worried about was the day she would lose you.... Her heart fell for her mother who i am so sorry for all of the pain that was so suddenly brought to the life of ur beautiful family....I did not know Joe but by Kates strength,mind, creativity,inner and outter beauty and respect and love she has for both her mother and father.. The things she wanted for others always selfless in everyway I knew as she was her Daddys Girl what kind of Father and Mother she had.... I wanted to make u happy as your end days grew nearer and always tried to find an idea to throw Kate to make u smile.... You raised such a wonderful person that by reading this and knowing Kate you had to be just as wonderful..... I pray for ur family and i know u will alway be on their minds and in their hearts... As for Maria I may not know u but forty yrs and two children, i know only half the yrs of that feeling as ive been with someone 15 yrs and have 2 children not nearly as long as the two of u and i hope for more time, but idk what i would do without my best friend who has been by my side everyday for that long. To not be able to hold,talk to, Smile with,laugh with,cry with, or to even fight with to not be able to call when you want or tell something too that u cant wait to tell,i couldnt imagine what u are feeling and we dont know what we have until we do not have it anymore... I am so sorry for ur loss as you've spent so many yrs together for better and for worse. Im sorry for ur whole family's loss of this man this wonderful person... I will pray for u all...That comfort not being there, i really am so sorry and can not express my sympathy enough. My heart hurts for everyone of you.... I know Joe only through stories and the person Kate is and that explains it all to me my deepest sincerity.. I wanted u to know how great of a daughter u have and how great of a mother she is ...... Im only glad to know ur in the hands of our Father and u will not feel the terrible pain u had to bare. Rest now in Peace... Mr.Leotti

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Recent Tributes
January 5
January 5
Thinking of you. Thank you, for everything.
February 19, 2023
February 19, 2023
Happy birthday, dad. You are so very missed.
All of my love, always,
♥️Kathlina
August 15, 2022
August 15, 2022
It's difficult to walk Temple's Campus and pick something Joe Leotti did not play some level of a supporting or leadership role in bringing to completion. Joe and I worked together from a distance for many years at Facilities. He was at Main, and I was at HSC. That all changed in 2014 when I came to join Joe as construction project manager in Telecommunications.

We bonded over the insurmountable amount of work he and I faced month after month. We shared similar abilities having a knack for fixing, building or designing solutions to sometimes complex problems. When it came to work Joe was one of the hardest, intelligent and most dedicated people I ever knew. Joe and I were solely responsible for designing, biding, managing more work in 8 years than many departments within Temple combined.

Many people at work misunderstood Joe given his hard exterior and “Mumbling Snarls”. Often, I would joke with other staff, just throw a large steak into the office and wait to see the reaction. =:0)
But when you got one finger threw the crack of the hardened exterior you found a man honest, straight forward, loyal, dedicated, kind and someone who supported you to the very end.

I will miss Joe dearly. Rest my Friend.
Until we get the opportunity to fish.

Theo
Recent stories
August 8, 2022
I worked with Joe the first time on a night shift and it was like working with a guy you known for years, talkative, but the work came first in a pleasant way.

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