Tony Leonardo

passed away in the early morning hours on Sunday, February 26, 2012 in the comfort of his home ~ just as he wished. He had been battling lung cancer ~ the Camel non filters finally got the best of him. We would like to especially thank his brother, Johnny for staying with him for the last couple of months. As Johnny learned, Dad gave new meaning to the word "caregiver"! Dad was born in 1933 to Frank Joseph and Emelia Simas Leonardo in Samoa, California (if he had written this, he would have had you believe he was born on the Madaket). Dad was a longtime dairyman operating Leonardo and Son Dairy at Grizzly Bluff along with his son Rich. He also worked at Fortuna Veneer, tended bar at the Victorian Inn in Ferndale, was auctioneer extraordinaire and volunteered his services at many fund raising events. Dad enjoyed ocean fishing so much he bought a boat, got his commercial fishing license and was known as the Portagee Fisherman. He was a member and past president of Rotary. He and our Mom, Gerry moved to town after purchasing the Fern Motel in Ferndale, which they owned and operated for many years. When they first moved to town, we thought "this will never work, someone as loud, opinionated and foul mouthed as him cannot live this close to other people and businesses." But live there they did and most people adjusted to him ~ eventually! Dad loved going to the Eldorado in Reno where they made him feel like a king and he also loved playing poker in his own garage, where he really was king. He was quite proud of being on an Eldorado billboard along the Highway in Reno. He was a gambler at heart and loved making bets and proving you wrong (because he never was)! He was also a great cheater and Mom was quite proud on the days she out cheated him. Dad loved to BS and argue! He told more lies that were the "absolute truth" than anyone we know. He was proud to have been able to help out a lot of people in his lifetime and it wasn't unusual to have unexpected guests at the dinner table or spending the night. He is survived by his children, Ginger (John), Tony (Jan) and Rich. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brian (Nikki), Michelle, Shannon (Amy), Lucas (Cassie), Sierra (Phil), Trevor (Maesa) and great grandchildren, Jessica, Shaun and Ava. He is also survived by his sister, Emily Gomes, Brother Frank (Annie) Leonardo, brother John Leonardo, step sister Annie (Tony) Leonardo and step brother Joe Gomes, and honorary family member Loretta Alexandre. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry Leonardo in September 2011 and his beloved daughter Tina on February 3, 2005. His Mom died when he was just 3 years old. His Dad later married Adeline Gomes and he is preceded in death by both of them as well as his sisters and brother-in-laws: Mary & Walter Carpenter, Lena and Tony Branco, Lily and John Nunes, Rosie & Kenneth Morehead and Jack Rocha as well as his brothers and sister-in-law, Frank Leonardo and Joe and Beulah Leonardo. There will be a private graveside service for family at the Ferndale Cemetery. There will be a public Memorial service on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 12:00pm at Belotti Hall at the Ferndale Fair Grounds (lunch will be served). Please follow signs as the Foggy Bottoms Milk Run is that day and many of the roads in Ferndale will be blocked. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Queen, Tom Conti, Kuks Toste, Bob Mooneyham, Charlie Lakin, Uffe Christiansen, John (Hooter) Krogstad, Tony Leonardo, Joe Buccola, Jerry Bruga, Gene Fusi, Jim Redd, Jimmy Smith, Jeff Farley, Lowell Daniels, Dick Lindsay, Blake Alexandre, Dayton Titus, Harry Hardin and Lino Mogni In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Ferndale Museum, PO Box 431, Ferndale, California 95536, The Tina Scholarship Fund in care of: Humboldt Area Foundation, 373 Indianola Rd., Bayside, California 95524, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, California. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.