Photo courtesy of Baca's Funeral Chapels - Las Cruces
Las Cruces, New Mexico
May 21, 1953 – Apr 8, 2021 (Age 67)
Leonard “Len” Joseph Paulozzi of Las Cruces, NM, born May 21, 1953, in Cleveland, OH, to Joseph and Pauline Paulozzi, died peacefully with his family alongside him on April 8, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jill McDonald; his two sons, Casey (Nik Taylor) and Peter McDonald (Breiana Caldwell); his eight siblings, Linda (Bob Heiss), Loren (Patti), Larry (Teri Hillestad), Mary Beth (Joe Shero), Anna (Noll), Monica (Craig Fletcher), Joseph (Olya), and Lisa (Russ Haid); and his extended family and good friends.
He was a graduate of Cleveland’s Saint Ignatius High School, Yale University, the Ohio State University College of Medicine, and the University of Washington School of Public Health. He served as a medical epidemiologist in the WA, NJ, and VT state health departments and for 24 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. He was recognized for his work on the prevention of unintentional injuries and prescription drug overdoses. After he retired in 2015, he volunteered his time with faculty and students at New Mexico State University and elsewhere.
Len was an amazing husband and a role model to his sons. He was a hiker and explorer of the great outdoors; an organizer of biking and backpacking trips with family and friends; a talented woodworker; a lover of fiction; and a man who always had a plan. He was playful, kind, and generous with his time and attention. And in his final few years, he was a fighter. He will be dearly missed.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com
Read MoreSo kind and warm. We just searched in remembrance from Decatur Montessori School 23 years ago as our son Trevor played with the boys but he welcomed our entire family in. 540-379-8217 Brenda Williamson
Brenda Williamson
February 08, 2025 | Other
He was one of my very favorite co+workers, ever, at the Vermont Department of Health! So smart, funny and the ultimate professional. Had the most wonderful family whom he adored.
Marge Hamrell
Marjorie Hamrell
April 14, 2022 | Westford, VT | Coworker
My deepest condolences to Joe and the entire Paulozzi family on the passing of your beloved Leonard.I never had the chance to meet him, But Joe spoke highly, lovingly, and often of him. Godspeed Leonard.
steve Potocin
May 20, 2021 | Friend
Group of 10 Memorial Trees
Debbie Dowell
April 25, 2021 | Atlanta, GA
I had the good fortune to work with Len at CDC and to be able to count him as a mentor. Len showed the rest of us in public health how to change the world for the better through perception and persistence. I hope he knew how much of an impact he had and how many lives were saved because of his work. He had too much humility to ever let on if he did know, though. The last time I saw Len, over dinner in El Paso in 2019, I was struck, as so many times before, by his compassion, insight, and...
Debbie Dowell
April 25, 2021 | Atlanta, GA | Coworker
Dear Jill and Paulozzi family, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss and touched to read the beautiful memorials to Len. For two years I worked with Len in Vermont and I was always, always delighted to cross paths with him in the decades since. I always found Len to be calm, wise and generous with his wisdom - and his words of advice come back to me to this day. Nancy and I send our condolences and love to you all. Jim Zingeser and Nancy Boyd
Jim Zingeser
April 21, 2021 | Atlanta, GA | Coworker
Deepest sympathy in the loss of such a wise, generous man. As a newcomer to CDC's Injury Center in 2000, Len was immediately collegial and unfailingly helpful in acclimating me to the science and the culture of the agency and the center. He had a remarkable ability to maintain scientific excellence while explaining the data in ways that helped others understand and make informed decisions. His presence will be missed.
Jana Telfer
April 20, 2021 | Lilburn, GA | Coworker
What a loss of a truly gifted and amazing person who will be in the forefront of my memory forever. As a colleague, I really saw Len as a mentor, a calm presence who always listened. I sometimes gave him rides to his hotels after he moved out west. We talked in ways that were informative, never strained, and I always learned. I loved his whistle and humming and his laugh. His easy presence. I can only imagine the memories that those he loved will have forever in their minds. Those will be...
Shelley Hammond
April 16, 2021 | Decatur, GA | Coworker
Len was one of the very first people I worked with at CDC. He was smart, funny and did great work. I remember an ice-breaker at a meeting where we had to introduce ourselves by using an object we had with us that represented us. Len pulled out the insole of his shoe! I don't have any recollection what the significance of his insole was but I clearly remember the laughter around the table. He will be missed.
Rebecca Leeb
April 16, 2021 | Atlanta, GA | Coworker
