FRANK T. LETO SR.

FUNERAL HOME

D. O. McComb and Sons - Lakeside Park

1140 Lake Ave

Fort Wayne, Indiana

FRANK LETO Obituary

FRANK T. LETO, SR, 83, passed away Friday, March 30, 2012 at Veteran's Hospital in Fort Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne, Frank was a Korean War Army Veteran. He worked for International Harvester. After 20 years of service he retired from the Fort Wayne Police Department. He later retired from Slater Steel after 10 years of service. After retirement he was an active volunteer at the V.A. Hospital. He was a member of American Legion Post 47, a former PAL Little League Coach, and he enjoyed photography. Surviving are his sons Frank Leto, Jr. of Las Cruces N.M., and John (Chris) Leto of Fort Wayne; daughter, Mary (Sergio) Pareja of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandchildren, Nick and Ben Leto, Michael and Melissa Hendrix, Cecilia and Monica Pareja. Frank was preceded in death by parents, Sam and Marie Leto; brothers, Nicholas, Dominic, and Samuel Leto and sister, Catherine Hesley. Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with calling one hour prior. Calling from 5 to 8 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 with a vigil service at 5:30 p.m. Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne. Memorials to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Apr. 2, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for FRANK LETO

8 Entries

Lisa,Sarah & Erica Pinkston

April 29, 2012

Frank Was such a wonderful person. He was our neighbor at Woodbridge Apartments for 7 years. He would do anything for us. That's the kind of person he was. He liked when we took meals over to him too. He will never be forgotten in our minds. He will always be in our hearts. May he rest in peace.

Danina Pallone-Downing

April 27, 2012

To the family of Frank T. Leto,

I regret to say that I never got to know your dad personally, I wish I really had the opportunity to because he was a cousin of mine. Of the few times that I did meet up with him - he had a great personality, very nice, and was a very kind person. I'm sorry for all of you for your loss. It has made me sad that my dad, Anthony Pallone couldn't make it. I tried to get him to go, but his health wouldn't allow it. You see, these 2 men are cousins to each other thru their mother's. The last time I saw Frank, he had made a comment to me that he was the last in the 1st. generation of Leto's to be alive and I mentioned my dad, Anthony Pallone was the last in the 1st. generation of Pallone's to be alive. So, it would be great if I could to get to know any you.

Frank Leto, Jr

April 20, 2012

Frank's eulogy to his father 4/3/12

Dear family and friends,

I regret I am not able to personally share with you my thoughts about my dad, but my sister Mary suggested we write some brief comments about our dad to share with all of you. That was a very good idea — and so I shall begin:
Our Italian Grandma Leto used to say, "we no rich in money, we rich in blood."

After last week's experience with dad, as he lay dying in a VA hospital bed, that
phrase took on new meaning to me.

I think there is a unique responsibility you carry when you are a "Junior". I was always proud to be named after my dad and I feel a special obligation and strive to live up to the standards he set as a man and father. I did not want to embarrass him.

I was equally proud to include our name, Francis, when my first son, Nicholas Francis Leto was born in October, 1986.

Last week my brother John, sister Mary, and I greeted a steady stream of people at the VA whose lives dad had touched in someway.

Most of these people I had never met, but their stories about dads kindness, generosity and friendship touched my heart and often brought tears to my eyes.

As I write this, on the plane back to New Mexico, I tear up again just thinking about it. That was the father I knew . . . kind, generous, loving . . . . and sometimes stubborn. : )

A man who loved his family and, along with our mom, made sacrifices for us that I would not understand until I was a father. He set an example for me that I try to live up to with my own children.

I never wanted to disappoint him and did the best I could as a father and a man to earn his respect.

I had a lot of time to reflect on his life last week. That was especially true when John, his fiancée Chris, and Mary and I went through his personal effects on Saturday.

A flood of memories came back as we listened to music (thank you Chris for suggesting we hit play on his CD player to listen to what he had been listening to). And, I am proud to say I knew every song, and that I could irritate John by singing along.

I knew those songs because we played them when I was a boy and my parents music . . . became my music.

We told stories and looked at old pictures of each other, our relatives, and family friends — at weddings, parties, games . . . . and funerals.

Even though a sad event had brought us together in Fort Wayne, we were happy, and proud of our dad and our family.

I was so happy to spend some time with him at the end of his life and spend so much time with Mary, John, Chris, Wade and of course our mother, Shirley.
She remains the glue that keeps us together and we all love her very much.
That Saturday afternoon reminded me how "rich in blood" we really are . . . and also reminded me of our obligation and responsibility to pass on the rich history of our family to our children.

My dad, Frank Leto Sr., lived a long, full life.

He was a son, brother, soldier, husband, police officer, father, coach and volunteer.

He worked hard, achieved much and overcame adversity.

He loved . . . and was loved.

He experienced joy . . . and brought joy to others.

He did his best with the gifts God gave him.

He was a man!

He set an example for Frank Leto, Jr.

I will continue to do my best dad . . . to make you proud.

Frank Leto, Jr

April 10, 2012

[email protected]

Shirley Fredrick

April 9, 2012

A few notes on the life and times of: FRANK LETO:

Frank enjoyed sports and as a young man played baseball.
He was chosen to go to Florida one year for spring training with
the Washington Senators.

After serving in the Korean War he returned to Fort Wayne
and his job as a tool grinder at International Harvester.
Side note: when the U.S. Army found that he had been a tool grinder
before entering the service — they placed him in the Medics.

Frank loved to sing and he had a beautiful voice. He took part in many of the
Summer Light Opera shows at Fort Wayne's Franke Park.
He also played the roll of Lysander in Shakespeare's
Midsummer Night's Dream at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre.

During his years on the Fort Wayne Police Dept. he became involved with the Police Athletic League, commonly known as PAL. His sons . . . Frank, Jr. and John . . . played Little League Baseball and he truly enjoyed coaching their teams and being with his sons. After each winning game they were treated to ice cream at Zesto's.
After loosing games they got hot dogs at home. They had more Zesto's than hot dogs.

When daughter Mary became involved in Harding High School Show Choir,
as well as many plays, she didn't have to sing and dance her way into her father's heart — she was already there. He was so proud of her.

He took-up photography and began taking wedding photos. He so enjoyed
being a part of creating loving memories. He lead his life . . .
' creating loving memories. '

Joe & Tara Leto

April 4, 2012

So sorry to see Frank go but glad he will be joining his parents & siblings in heaven. Such an interesting, quiet, kind, loving man who will be dearly missed & remembered.

LINDA REDMAN-TAPP

April 2, 2012

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

April 2, 2012

I will dearly miss Frank. He was always so kind. It was inspiring to see him light up when he spoke of his career with the police department. May he rest in peace!

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