Leonard William Caraccio, 97, peacefully crossed over to the eternal on January 30, 2025, at the family's home in North Tustin, CA, surrounded with the love and warmth of his children, family and friends. Len entered this world on June 9, 1927, in Manhattan, NYC, to Italian parents Giovanni and Marie, and grew up in Franklin Square, Long Island, with older siblings Joey, Vickie and Stella.
At Sewanhaka High, Len was active in the swing band, where he formed his life-long affection for music. He always had a song on his lips, and excelled at the clarinet, saxophone, mandolin and ukelele.
Len joined the US Navy within days of turning 18, serving in the South Pacific during WWII on the destroyer escort USS Eldridge, which was steaming toward Japan when the war ended.
Len attended the Univ. of Virginia, until his GI Bill ran out, then finished his Physics B.S. in 1952 at Hofstra Univ. He worked as an engineer in NYC, soon driving cross country to pursue an illustrious 48-year aerospace engineering career in SoCal.
Most significant for Len, as well as for his 8 children, was that auspicious Catholic Alumni Club dance in 1956, where he first met his beautiful bride-to-be, Barbara. They wed in Aug. 1957, embarking on what would be a 60-year marriage.
By 1972, all 8children –Bill, Mark, Laura, Jim, Terese, John, Paul &Lisa –had arrived, and the proud parents shepherded each one through St. Cecilia School, high school and university. Len’s 48-year aerospace career included North American Aviation, Rockwell and the Dept. of Defense, before “retiring” in 1995, after which he acquired and managed several local apartment buildings.
Throughout his life Len was an avid golfer, bowler, bridge player, Knights of Columbus, and church participant. He thrived most when with his wife and kids, also delighting in travel, boating, and hosting family get-togethers. As a loving, generous role model, Len was known always for his kind heart, integrity, unwavering affection for dogs, melodic singing of Tony Bennett classics, and a cherished sense of humor.
Leonard is survived by all 8 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, parents and siblings.
Memorial Services are at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1301 Sycamore Ave, Tustin, CA.
Visitation/Rosary is Wed., Feb. 5 at 4:30pm. Funeral Mass is Thurs., Feb. 6 at 10:00am, followed by interment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, CA and a lunch reception.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to OC Animal Care.