Les joined his wife of 63 years, Gene Egli Agnello, in heaven on Saturday, February 8, 2020. He died in Lexington, North Carolina where he lived for the last five years. He was surrounded by family and friends who loved him right until he passed at age 98.

Les spent his childhood in Passaic, New Jersey and enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp. He was selected for the V12 program and was on his way to achieving his dream of being a pilot when the war ended. In 2018, Les participated in an Honor Flight to Washington DC to visit the war memorials—a trip that was a meaningful high point in a long, well-lived life.

Through the V12 program and then the GI bill, Les attended several colleges (Ursinus, Randolph Macon) before graduating from Montclair State in 1949. He was a guard on Montclair’s undefeated football teams in 1947-48 and 1948-49.

While working at Fred Waring’s Shawnee on the Delaware in 1946, he met his soon-to-be wife, Gene Egli. They married in 1947 and moved to Richmond, California to teach. Les taught PE, math and physics for various schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (formerly Richmond Unified School District). He was a member of the first faculty of De Anza High School. He coached football, basketball and track while at De Anza. In his 43 years in WCCUSD, Les transitioned from teaching to counseling to creating and running the district’s Career Development Center.

Les and Gene raised their four children, Leslie, Joel, Beth and Tim, in Richmond. Les was always interested in whatever interested his kids. He encouraged and supported each child in their diverse hobbies and fields of study. His ability to be enthusiastic about what mattered to others was one of his many gifts. He saw and cared about the uniqueness of every individual. This quality drew others to him—not only his own children but his students, athletes, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and coworkers.

Les was a long-time member of Community Alliance Church (previously Northshore and Fairmede) in Richmond. He served as an elder, Sunday school superintendent, and Vacation Bible study teacher. His strong faith and loving kindness made him a role model and mentor for many. In recent years, Les was a member of the Stockton Alliance Church and enjoyed the fellowship at Lexington First Alliance Church.

In 2014, Les moved from California to North Carolina to live closer to Beth. Though in his 90s, he never lost his zest for life or love of people. Les enjoyed music, particularly the Big Band swing music from his youth. He was thrilled to attend as many Glenn Miller Orchestra concerts as possible each year—five in 2019 alone! He also enjoyed the Winston-Salem Symphony and musical productions by the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance.

Les was a huge fan of his local minor league baseball team, the Winston-Salem Dash. He scored a perfect attendance streak, all 70 home games, in their 2019 season and missed only one game (due to a conflict with a Glenn Miller Orchestra concert) in 2018. He made many friends at the ballpark!

Les was born on November 24, 1921 in Passaic, New Jersey to Sam and Sophie (Lieberman) Agnello. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Michael Agnello, and wife Gene Egli Agnello.

Les is survived by: his four children, Leslie Agnello-Dean (Dwight) of Valencia, Spain, Joel Agnello (Laurie) of Concord, California, Beth Agnello (Ron Gregoire) of Lexington, North Carolina and Tim Agnello (Wendy) of Sacramento, California; his five grandchildren, Chase Agnello-Dean (Kirsten) of Forest Park, Illinois, Cara Gilmore (Steve) of Concord, California, Rachel Scott (Cody) of Concord, California, Camryn Agnello of Sacramento, California and Jordan Agnello, currently stationed in Minot, North Dakota; and his four great grandchildren, Dominic and Jesse Gilmore and Stella and Ruby Scott.

Les will be cremated and his ashes interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California, next to his wife Gene.

Celebration of Life:

Saturday, February 29, 2020, 2 pm to 4 pm
Mallard Ridge Assisted Living
9420 N. Hwy, 150, Clemmons, NC 27012.
Refreshments graciously catered by Les’ friends at the Winston-Salem Dash and BB&T Ballpark.
Please RSVP to BethAgnello@bellsouth.net or (336) 247-0712.

A previously scheduled celebration in Richmond, California, on March 28th has been canceled due to Corona virus concerns. We don't want our friends and loved ones put at risk by gathering. Once these health concerns have passed, we will reschedule a celebration at Community Alliance Church in Richmond.

Les requested no flowers. Donations in his name may be made to:

Community Alliance Church scholarship fund

West Contra Costa Retired Educators scholarship fund

Bay Area Rescue Mission

Lexington First Alliance Church

Trellis Supportive Care