Leonardo (Leonard) Di Sera

Leonardo (Leonard) Di Sera, 92, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 6th 2015 surrounded by family. He insisted on living like he were young; climbing ladders, driving his tractor, and farming the land. He would not accept can't and old. In regards to ladders and "can't", he said that living on the ground was boring. While trimming trees, he fell from his ladder on December 2nd. The injuries got the best of him. Leonard lived life his way and finished it doing what he loved.

Leonard was born on February 19, 1923 in San Vittorino, Italy to Flamminio Di Sera and Cesidia Alberico. In 1940 he immigrated to the United States where he reunited with his father who was working in Utah for Kennecott Copper. In 1943 he was drafted for WWII service in the U.S. Army Air Corps Fifth Air Force and was ultimately sent to New Guinea. During his training he spent time in Florida and Texas.

In 1949 Leonard returned to Italy where he met Mariuccia "Mary" De Angelis. They married on October 20, 1949. Leonard and Mary have been inseparable for 66 years.

In 1950, Leonard and Mary returned to Utah where he worked for Kennecott for two years before beginning his lifelong profession as a vegetable farmer. Even in Leonard's last year, he and Mary continued to harvest and sell their produce.

Leonard is survived by his sweet wife Mary; children Flamminio (Peggy) Di Sera, Gina Di Sera and her fiancé Casey Jackson, Lenny (Tonya) Di Sera; four grandchildren Billy, Angela, Siena and Sante; three great-grandchildren McKenzie, Xander, and Devon; and sister Connie Colosimo.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, with a Vigil beginning at 7:00 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 East Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 12th at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent Church, with a viewing one hour prior to the service. After the Mass, family and friends are invited to the Benvenue Center for a Luncheon in Leonard's honor.