Obituary of Joseph Leonardo

Joseph Leonardo, 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 27, 2016. He was born in Vineland on May 17, 1928 to the late Anthony and Theresa Leonardo, where he reamined a lifelong resident. He attended Vineland Public Schools, graduating fro Vineland High School in 1946. From September 1946 to March 1948 he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea. he attneded pierce Business School in philadelphia. Upon graduation he accepted a position as an accountant and office manager at Rainear's Dairies in Bridgeton; a position he held for nine years. In 1960 mayor Albert Giampetro appointed Joe Vineland City Comptroller overseeing a five million dollar budget that grew during his term to over 48 million dollars in 1987 when he retired. Joe worked under five mayors and seven administrations during his tenure as Chief Finiancial Officer fro the City of Vineland. Upon his retirement from the city, Joe took a position with Core States Bank as a Government banking Officer in South Jersey. He retired from Core States in 1993. Joe was an active member for over 20 years in the Municipal Finance Officers Association of New Jersey, during which time he served on the Board of Directors and moved through the chairs to become President of the Association in 1973. One of his proudest moments was becoming one of the first Certified Municipal Finance Officers in the State of New Jersey and later teaching the certification courses at Rutgers University. Durin his years of dedicated service to municipal government, Joe also served his community as a member and past president of the Vineland Lions Club, Campaign Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the Red Cross, and memberr of the District Board of Directors of the United Way and on theVineland Downtown Improvement District Board of Directors. Joe was a member of the Newcomb Medical Center Board of Directors and a member of of its Financce Committee. A liflong member of Sacred heart Church, he served as a lay trustee and helped prepare the budget for over 30 years. In 1985 he was the recipient of the Bishop's medal recognizing his participation in Catholic education for his contribution in the preparation of the annual budget of the Sacred Heart Grammar School, High School and Parish. Throughtout his life the most important thing to Joe was his family. He married Annie Buono on April 19, 1953 and they were married for 62 years before her death on December 30, 2015. Both of them were actively involved with their daughters. he was a coachand umpire for the Vineland Pigtail league, drove numerous car pools to and from school events fro his girls and their friends and always helped them with their schoolwork. As time went on his grandchildren became his "lights of his life" . He was the # 1fan at all of their athletic events and never missed a chance to take them away on vacation. His "best buddy" for 23 years has been his grandson Matthew, who he spent countless hours with watching sports, playing cardsand sharing a very special bond.