Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph Leonzi Obituary
Joseph P. Leonzi Jr., of Hometown, passed away at the age of 80, Friday evening in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
Joseph was born Sept. 17, 1938, in Coaldale State General Hospital to Joseph and Julia (Susko) Leonzi.
He graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1956 and later graduated from Villanova University in 1961.
He had a long and successful teaching and coaching career in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Joe taught at St. Peters High School, New Brunswick, N.J., Margate City, N.J. Public Schools, Westfield N.J. public schools, Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua, and Hamburg Area High School, Hamburg.
As a head football coach he guided Panther Valley High School to their first District 11 championship in 1987 and was selected as coach of the year. He was also inducted into the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Joe was an avid golfer and a huge Villanova basketball fan. He also owned and operated Joseph's Driving School for over three decades.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Julia Leonzi; and a brother Albert.
He is survived by his wife Madeline of 58 years; and a son Paul; granddaughters Danielle, and her husband Andrew Connor, and Nicole, and her husband Tyler Baliet; and brother-in-law Robert Sotnik; and several nieces and a nephew.
Joe was a member of St. John the XXIII Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Services: Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, in St. John the XXIII Catholic Church, Tamaqua. Interment to follow at Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. Friends and relatives may call from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, at Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Leonzi
Sponsored by Lamar Christ Funeral Home - Hometown.
Jim Heckman
April 26, 2019
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Joe Leonzi. He was a man of great determination and hard work. I admired and respected for him very much. Perhaps no one else could have turned the football program at Hamburg Area around as he did. May you rest in peace Joe, you have certainly earned it. God bless you.
Jacqueline Morey
April 25, 2019
My deepest sympathy for the Leonzi family! Joe was one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure knowing. My prayers are with you all. He will be missed.
Joseph Kalista
April 24, 2019
To the Leonzi family . My sincerest condolences to all as a great and kind man has entered into his eternal reward. Our friendship goes back over 48 years when I was in high school. He was just so kind and offered encouragement at every opportunity . Just saw him awhile ago and he talked about golf and asked about my family. Sorry I missed viewing and services. Will miss hitting a few with him at the mountain. May he Rest in peace with God.
Cheryl O'Connor
April 24, 2019
Dear Madeline and Family, Please accept my deepest sympathy at this time. Joe was a great guy and will always be remembered for his kindness and wit. May he Rest In Peace!
April 24, 2019
I was so saddened by the news of Joe. He was a good teacher and a better person to have worked with, he will be missed very much!
Jeff Wolfe
April 23, 2019
Joe was a dear friend and colleague at Hamburg. He could brighten up any day with his enthusiasm about life. He loved his family and most things about the education world. If there were items he didn't like, he would tell you. That was a big part of his being a great man. I was always proud to be his friend, and I enjoyed all the informative chats we had over the years. May you rest in peace, Joe.
Barbara Long
April 23, 2019
I was very saddened to hear about Joe's passing. I worked with Joe for many years at Hamburg High School. I can remember how pleased he was to bring the faculty his chocolate cherries treats at Christmas time. That brings a smile to my face. May the many memories that you have gathered over the years bring you peace & comfort.
Barbara Long
HAHS School Nurse
Jim Tkach
April 23, 2019
Our deepest sympathies to the Leonzi family.
Jenna (Hepner) Piaskowski
April 23, 2019
My condolences to his family. Many memories of Mr. Leonzi. He was my teacher for Driver's Ed and Behind the Wheel. He was also my colleague when I started subbing at Hamburg & he was my dad's Driver's Ed. Teacher when he was in school too.
April 22, 2019
Leonzi Family All our prayers and sympathy. He taught me at Marian years ago and was a great teacher, May he RIP. Gene Lienhard (Wilson Borough, Pa.)
Deb (Moyer) Lengel
April 22, 2019
My sincerest sympathy to the Leonzi family. Mr. Leonzi introduced me to Paul when we were in high school and went on the trip to Germany with Miss Miller. He enjoyed being my driver ed teacher. I'm blessed he was a part of my life. Rest in peace. God bless the family.
Betsy Vasquez & Family
April 22, 2019
My deepest sympathy to the Leonzi family. Paul, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers through this most difficult, challenging time. May the love, strength and support of family and friends help bring comfort to you all. The presence of your loved one will be greatly missed, but all the fond memories will last forever.
Julia Stahl
April 22, 2019
Madeline, Bill and I are so sorry for your loss. Joe was a great man. Our meetings at the restaurant were so much fun and informative. I hope that when you are up to it, you can still meet us there from time to time. Take care and if you need anything, please call.
Nancy Daub Yearta
April 22, 2019
My sincerest sympathy for Mr. Leonzi's family. I enjoyed having him for my Civics teacher at HAHS. He was a wonderful and dedicated teacher.
Christopher Tray
April 22, 2019
Very sorry for your loss. I played for Coach at Hamburg and was on the first team he had there. Rest in Peace Joe.
Louann Hoch/Wessner
April 21, 2019
Very sorry for your loss! Mr. Leonzi was the Driver Ed. teacher at Hamburg when I was in school.
Shirley Shamonsky
April 21, 2019
My condolences to the Leonzi family. Didn't know Joe very well but what I did know of him he was a nice man. RIP Joe!
Joyce Bertrand
April 21, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Had the pleasure of getting to know Joe when I worked at Mahoning Valley Country Club. He was the best!
Michael Karnish
April 21, 2019
Rest In Peace, my friend. You were a friendly face when we worked together in Westfield, NJ and always a reminder from where we came. Lansford and Summit Hill were always rivals in sports but, thankfully we transcended that. I always cherished your friendship.
Cindy Labe
April 21, 2019
So sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Leonzi was my driver's ed teacher at Hamburg High School 20+ years ago. He was always very nice. God Bless.
Len Mikulski
April 21, 2019
Was sad to hear of Joe's passing . He was a great friend and coach. Sure going to miss solving the world's problems with him when we would go out for breakfast .Rest in peace my friend .
Tammy Mescavage( Rumberger)
April 21, 2019
You were a fantasic man and teacher. Thanks for everything. You will be remembered always. Thank you for teaching me to drive and guiding me in the right direction. Rest Easy till we meet again.
Dean Kauffman
April 21, 2019
You were a great drivers Ed and football coach
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Joseph Leonzi's name
Memorial Events
for Joseph Leonzi
Apr
23
Calling hours
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Lamar Christ Funeral Home - Hometown31 Mahanoy Ave, Tamaqua, PA 18252
How to support Joseph's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Joseph Leonzi's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
