Leo Sutera

Leo Sutera, 90, of Lynnfield, MA and Marco Island, FL passed away on November 4th surrounded by his family. Leo was born February 25th 1933 in the North End of Boston to Vincenzo Sutera and Calogera (Ragusa) who immigrated from Sciacca, Sicily in the early 1900s. A first generation American, Leo personified the American dream.

From an early age, Leo demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, embodying his personal mantra: The Harder I Worked, the Luckier I Got. With his shoeshine kit in hand, he made his way to Scollay Square to shine shoes. Leo was someone who always favored taking action over sitting behind a desk. In the 8th grade he made the decision to leave school and join his father as a fisherman. While others might shy away from their lack of a formal education, he proudly declared that he had graduated from the "school of hard knocks."

Leo’s life took a turn when he met his lovely wife, Barbara (Hernon) at Moseley’s Dance Hall on the Charles. After a two-year courtship, they married in 1957, and a year later they welcomed the first of their five children. Leo held varied positions in his life from shining shoes to realizing his dream of running his own business. In 1967 that dream came true when he bought Louise’s Ravioli, a mom and pop store in Revere. Leo transformed Louise’s into the number 1 ravioli company in New England. In 1981, he was bought out by General Mills. Soon after, General Mills wanted out and called Leo who bought it back. He built the business up and sold it to Labatt Brewing.

At 54, Leo and Barbara retired to Marco Island, FL where he bought a 24-foot Grady white, and was back on the water enjoying his passion for fishing. A generous man, Leo volunteered his time and raised money for many worthy causes, including Boys & Girls Town of Italy, the Ara Parseghian Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, The Big Flag on Marco Island, and St. John’s School in the North End. He was an Honorary Life Member at Salem Country Club, Peabody, MA and served as President of the Island Country Club, Marco Island, FL. He was a member of the Marco Island Fisherman’s Club and proudly proclaimed that he was the oldest fisherman at the Madonna Del Soccorso Society “Fisherman’s Club” in the North End of Boston.

Leo stressed the importance of family and instilled a sense of adventure and travel to his children. They created many happy memories from White Water Rafting in Maine, to celebrating their 50 th wedding anniversary in Italy.

Leo leaves behind his loving wife Barbara and his children Leanne, Julie (Edward), Barbara (Richard), Vincent (Nancy) and Christine (Jeff). He was a proud Papa to his grandchildren Alexandra (Erik), Brianna (Zach), Elizabeth (Jeff), Leo, Cortney, Maria (Rich), Micaela, Claudia, Lucas, Sam, Kara and Julia and a proud great Papa to Eloise, Reese, Will, Quinn and Sloane. Family was the absolute joy of his life. Leo was the brother to the late Nat Sutera (Lily), Beatrice Ciulla (Tony), Philip Sutera (Sena), Lucy Sutera, Phyllis Orlando (Mike) and Rita Sabella (Al). Leo is survived by his sisters, Marge Marino (Angelo), Kay Orlando (Mac), Jenny Ciuffo (Nick) & Lucille Bonfilio (John). He was the brother-in-law to Gino Palmacci (Mary) and Joseph Hernon (Pat) and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Leo on Friday, Nov 10th at 10:30 am at St. Agnes Parish, Boston Street, Middleton MA to which all are kindly invited. (No Visitation - Church Only)

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Leo’s name to Daughters of Mary of Nazareth, P.O. Box 690789, Quincy, MA 02269 www.dmnazareth.org (see link below) or to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund, 215 Jordan Hall of Science, Notre Dame, IN 46556 -  (see the link below)

How lucky we are to have known someone so special that makes saying goodbye so hard.