Obituary of Leonardo Verni

For all of you who think good guys finish last, you are all wrong. Our father wasn't perfect but he was good. He never went out without my mother, he did everything for and with his family. He never forgot why he came to this great country. He came here for a better life, to have a job that actually pays you and to use that money to care and provide for his family. Our father's name was Leonardo, he wasn't a genius like Da Vinci but he was a Renaissance Man in his own way. He dropped out of school in Italy at the age of 10 to learn a trade, from there he moved to Venezuela to earn money to help support his family. He only returned to his home town Sannicandro di Bari in hopes to find a wife ready to start a new life in America. He courted her for nine days, the young, smart, beautiful and most of all, loyal, Nella, married, and set off for their adventure in life with no English, no money, and no family. Here, out father's career was a carpenter but he also self taught himself the skills of masonry, mechanics, plumbing, and even a chemist when he fermented his wine to perfection. But, to his four children, he was known as Mr. Fix it. He surpassed us by not just fixing our toys, he and our mother went on to build houses for each of his children so they would never struggle and to enjoy their children's children without having the worries most endure. Our father worked hard and played harder. He took us all over the world on great vacations, he showed us how to play poker, and explained to us quality over quantity. If you were going to buys shoes, get one pair, the best pair for your money instead of buying 10 cheap pairs. He always told us if you are going to do a job, do it right! Our father loved the ocean, if he wasn't clamming or fishing in it he was preaching how the salt water was the cure for all. He believed in God and always taught us to be grateful. He was a true stallion that his horsepower was unrecordable, and his life lessons will always be carried on through his blood line. You only have one life to live here on earth, make it count, especially to the people who counted the most. Family First, he not only preached this, he exemplified it through out his life. I hope and pray his grandchildren take all that he bestowed on us and pay it forward within their families for that is the reason what makes life worth the ride. Rest In Peace to our first love.