Leo Dragani

Leo Dragani: A True Friend!

As we have learned over the years, some people come into our lives for a REASON, some for a SEASON, and some for a LIFETIME. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know exactly what to do, for and with that person.

When someone comes into your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed, to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support. Like a GODsend, they are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they walk away, sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand, and sometimes they die. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled. Their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, make you laugh, teach you somethings you have never done. They give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe in it! It is real! But, only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build on in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Accept the lessons, love the person, and put what you have learned from him to good use in all areas of your life. It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.

LEO DRAGANI was that type of man. One who gave the undersigned, and we believe all those he came in contact with, a lifetime of fun, joy, happiness and understanding. His dry sense of humor and satire was boundless. Sometimes it hurt. You never knew what Leo would say or do, or when. But it was truly an "HONOR" to know him, and to call him "OUR FRIEND".

OUR PRAYER FOR EACH OF YOU!
May today there be peace within you;

May you trust in GOD that you are exactly where you are meant to be;

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith;

May you use the gifts you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you by LEO;

May you be content knowing that you are a child of GOD!

YOUR FOUR SEABEE BUDDIES, AND ONE ARMY BUDDY. ALL lifelong friends!
Angelo Cardinali, Rocco DeStefano, Frank Fasano,
Ron Mazzola, Bill Piciulli.

The very first time I met Leo, I said to myself, “Oh, boy! If I mess up, I’m going to get my head handed to me”. I discovered that very night that this big man had an even bigger heart. I stayed for dinner and in an attempt to be a polite guest, reached for the string beans with the serving spoon. After 3 or 4 failed attempts to get the string beans to stay on the spoon, I put the spoon down, grabbed a handful of beans and dropped them into my plate. Leo was quietly watching all this, and when I grabbed the beans he burst out laughing. It could have been a very embarrassing moment for me but Leo wouldn’t let it be. We bonded right then and there.
Leo didn’t place much value on material things, but valued life, family and friends. He was a good man, a caring father and a faithful friend. He didn’t boast or take the credit when he did something for someone - he just did it. The bible says that the prayers of the saints rise up like incense before the Lord. Leo will forever be a sweet aroma to Him and to me. I truly cannot wait to hold him again. And the next time someone says to me to have a good day, I just may respond with, “Don’t tell ME what to do!” I miss you, dad.

I don’t know if Port Chester has ever presented a “Man of the Year” award. While growing up, I often checked the newspaper, hoping to read that they were accepting nominations, and preparing in my head what I would write. I don’t think it’s too late. So, here is my submission:

His being born in the year of the Great Depression was not a promising start. My father's life wasn't an easy one, but he had the disposition of a cockeyed optimist, and wasn't afraid of hard work, and was determined to enjoy it with great gusto. He had his father’s gifts of music and art; his mother’s gift with people. He found friends everywhere he went, and worked hard to hold onto them. He threw himself into the things he loved best: his family, his friendships, his football, and shared them generously with anyone willing to join him. He went out of his way to stay in touch with the people he cared about, and often surprised old friends with a knock at the door, sometimes 25 years later and 1000 miles from home. He could never remember where he put his keys, but he always remembered your birthday, and would labor over a card, never satisfied just to sign his name; there was always a personal, heartfelt note inside. Everyone who knew him has a story to tell, a memory that they’ll hold onto forever. (Some of the poor schmos who knew him across the line of scrimmage have bruises they’ll never forget!) And for many years, he had the joy of spending fall weekends sharing his love of football with young boys and men.

But my sister and brother and I were the most fortunate of all, to be given the privilege of being his children. We knew the blessing of having a father who daily reminded us that life was precious, and that we were precious to him.

He saved up money and vacation time to take us on a fun vacation every summer, often inviting one of our friends to join us. When we teased him that his meatballs were awful, it became his mission in life to learn how to make the best tasting meatballs that his children could boast about – and he succeeded! He made holidays special, but never wanted them to end, carting us around to visit people he loved. He played games with us, and taught us corny army songs. He took us to the movies and watched TV with us, especially football games, teaching us what all the yellow flags were about and making us giggle when he expressed himself over a bad call. He could wrestle all three of us at once and only lost if his knee popped out of place, calling a time out to knock it back in. He could whistle like Sinatra could sing, and gave us an appreciation for great music. He laughed with us and taught us 45-minute jokes to annoy our friends; and when we hurt, he cried with us, unashamed. He made sure we took responsibility for our actions and expected us to face up to the consequences of our mistakes. He forgave quickly and never held a grudge. He prayed with us at night and helped us memorize the 23rd Psalm, his favorite. He never, ever played favorites, but we never once doubted that we were all special to him in our own way. He called me his Mooker.

Life, as I said, was not always easy – he had some very difficult challenges to get through, but like one of his heroes, Lou Gehrig, he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth, and told us often, “If I died today, I would die a happy man.” His answering machine message summed up his attitude: “Isn’t life beautiful? I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am.”

He was not rich as the world counts wealth. But if love and friendship could be minted, he would have been a gazillionaire. These were the things he invested in; they were his riches. For me, he was “Man of the Year” every year.

I know I already posted here once, but I just had to share this. I think I mentioned how we had given Phil Jr Uncle Leo's nickname "Moose" because he's built to play football. Well, PJ is around the age where he's supposed to start answering to his name. The nickname stuck, he only turns his head when we call "Moose". Coincidence? I think not. It's just another little reminder of how much we all loved Uncle Leo. I just wish PJ could have met him, he was my absolute favorite grown up when I was a baby.

Dear Daddy.

So many days I still wake up and can't believe you're not here. And I know I'm among so many who loved you who miss your cheerful voice and your strong presence.

I miss the messages on our answering machine that would go until the memory ran out.

I miss the words you used to make up (nzerf).

I miss the Italian you would mutter under your breath that would make me laugh.

I miss hearing your reminisce about North Tarrytown - you made me feel like I lived there too.

I miss the poems you would make up. My favorite was
"30 days has November,
April, June, and no wonder.
All the rest have peanut butter,
except Pasadena, who has the
Rose Bowl"
- Unforgettable.

I miss asking your advice.

I miss nagging you to take down your Christmas tree BECAUSE IT'S APRIL.

I miss sharing with you stories of my new life with my wonderul husband.

I miss Sundays when we would eat macaroni on trays while watching football.

I miss hearing you talk about your Airborne friends, and the stories you remembered, like when you re-strung the tree lights that lit the path to the latrine.

I miss your playfulness - you never outgrew it, even when it seemed we did.

I miss hearing your stories about Mr. Boothby and Port Chester High.

I miss talking to you.

I miss your crazy cards sent at strange times.

This entry could go on forever, because there is so much to miss. But I KNOW you are in the house of our Heavenly Father and I REJOICE that I will see you again. If you could hear me, I would tell you to give Nana a kiss for me and to keep the lights burning and the macaroni on until we're all together again.

Love forever, your daughter, Dana

Our Dad Leo, the "Greatest".
He was the greatest Dad to me!
He was the greatest football player to others!
He was the greatest Football Official to the kids!
He was the greatest 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, in nis own mind!
He was the greatest waterworks man of all time!
He had the greatest handwriting on the planet!
He made the greatest meatballs and hot suace you can imagine!
And without doubt, he was the undisputed greatest pain in the butt!
But, he was our Dad, Leo, "The Greatest".
Leo Jr, Dana, and Lisa

The Friendship, Care, Concern & Love Leo showed to me & all members of my family has affected all of us in such a way that we will cherish forever & never forget, especially me!

He was always there for me, sharing the very good times & the not-so-good times. His Confidence & Inner Strength allowed me to lean on a 'strong shoulder' when I needed one (I guess that's how he went from a 6' height to 5'10" - because of my leaning on him for support during those difficult times we all go thru during our life)!

His Heart was filled with so much Love for everyone he cared about, but always enough Love in his 'Huge' Heart to share a special part of it with me!

A day has not gone by when a reminder of my Special Friend, Leo, goes unnoticed; so with that, I say -

"Thanks Leo for all the "MEMORIES" we shared during our 'BEAUTIFUL LIFE' together - I know I Enjoyed it as much as YOU"!

I Miss You - Love You & Pray that God will Bless You for Eternity!

To "Poppy"
We love you, we miss you, and we will remember you always, as the "Best Poppy" ever.
Eddie, Eve, and Katelyn Lipowiecki
Your "Soulmate" Barbara's Grandchildren

Leo was one of the kindest and most generous persons I have ever known. I met him in 1975 when I attended The WCFOA Football School. He had the best "War Stories" of any official there and you knew right away that he had a deep passion for Football. I can say without equivocation that our friendship over the years has been one of the highlights of my life, Wherever we met, whether it was at Leo's Luncheonette, at the famous Coach Diner in Portchester or at football meetings, it was always a memorable experience. Just one quick memory of Leo on the field. When he worked Bowl games at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, he always gave the captains of both teams silver dollars at the coin toss. He was one of a kind and I will miss him greatly.

This is for Leo's family and his many, many friends,
I have a lovely sister, Marilyn, but I've never had a real brother. Yet, for as long as I can remember, I've had Leo. He was as good to me as any real brother could be. I know all his friends feel as I do.
Leo was in our wedding party 53 years ago. He sent Annamay and me an anniversary card every year. He never missed Christmas or birthdays either.
A few days from now, July 20, will be my birthday. I'll be 78. When there is no card from Leo, the reality of how much we've all lost will really sink in.
We have all been blessed to have this wonderful person in our lives.
Sincerely, Dom "Herby" Santoro

Lisa, Dana, Leo and Barbara,

It is so hard to express how we feit and are going to miss Leo.
Im proud to say Leo was my best friend. No matter what the problem was, Leo could be counted on to have the right answer. It was an unconditional friendship.
Not too many people are lucky enough to have someone like him in there life.
He was the glue that kept all his friends together.
We will miss him dearly.

Till we meet again.
DEADY AND MARY ANN SORBELLA

Leo was my hero and a person I looked up to. I first met him when he was playing semi-pro football with the Al's football team, and I was a snotty-nosed grade schooler wanting to be just like him. He was a great encouragement to me over the years, and like so many others, I'm going to miss him.
I can rejoice in the fact that Leo is in Heaven with Jesus Christ; Leo and I prayed together that he might have that personal relationship with Jesus and be saved. Leo is in Heaven now, pain-free and joyful, and one day we will meet again.

To the Family and Friends of Leo Dragani.
May I add My Tribute to Number 82!

It has been said that after all, we are all just numbers. And while that may be true in some repects, it would not apply to our dear and true friend, Number 82, Leo Dragani. On the football field, his opponents learned well the prowess and skill of Number 82, and in service to our Country, Leo distinguished himself as an outstanding paratrooper in the US Army, 82nd Airborne Division.

However, while living in Florida, I kept hearing stories about this strange and unconventional man, who crashed the yearly PC High School Class Reunions, causing him to become bigger than the Class Reunion itself; who, when coming to visit you would never call in advance, just show up at your door; who, when sending me one of the most remarkable Christmas Cards I had ever received, shocked me when upon opening it up, expecting to find the words, Merry Christmas, I instead found, Up Yours!; and who wore his numer 82 football jersey under his tuxedo when he got married; and I thought to myself, now there is a man who refuses to surrender his freedom, even at the alter. You really never knew what this guy would do. His humor was boundless. He was my kind of man.

While I don't believe Leo needs any help from me, I have nonetheless added his name to my list of deceased friends that I pray for at every Sunday Mass and Holy Day of Obligation.

Rest well my good friend, you have earned it.
"For whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren, you do for Me".

May God Bless and comfort each of you.

To the Dragani Family;
We will sorely miss our buddy Leo, #26 from our High School days. His loyal friendship and positive outlook on life, was an inspiration to us all. He really touched our hearts.
We will lovingly miss his "joking around" with us during our morning "Coffe Club" get togethers.
Sleep well dear friend. It is a beautiful life, and as you taught us, we are enjoying it. You have played the game well!!
Port Chester High School Rams;
John Suppa #11 - Joe Suppa #50
Portchester Oldtimers Athletic Association

To the Dragani Family, and my good friend Barbara;

We were as close as brothers!

Dear Dragani Family & Barbara:
I will miss Leo always calling me "the nose". He always addressed cards to me "the nose". I will miss him also calling me Reeser and I will treasure my Seabees ring as a reminder of him. We always had a wonderful time together. Rest in peace my friend. Love, Angelo (Reeser) Cardinali & Ginny

The Dragani Family;
Our thoughts are with you

Mr. Dragani. What can I say, he always had a smile on his face, no matter what. I will NEVER forget when I used to call him Mr. Dragani he would say to me, "Jane, it's Leo, not Mr. Dragani, that was my father". He will be sorely missed. He was loved by all, and truly a GREAT man, with beautiful children. I was honored to see him everyday for the past 13 years at our Apts, and to have gone to school with Lisa. I, along with his family and friends, will shed many a tear for him, but we know Mr. Dragani is with the Angels in Heaven now, and will always be in our hearts, forever.

Lisa, Dana & Family. We are praying for you as you grieve the loss of your father. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you. I understand how much he meant to each of you....what a blessing to have had such a father... "a solid rock"

Dana, Lisa, Leo and Family, and dear Barbara.
We are all grieving the loss of your father, and our very good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Leo was "one of a kind" and a great friend who will be missed, but never forgotten.

Dear Dragani Family;
Our heartfelt sympathies are with you at this time. I especially miss Leo at the coffee shop and reminising about the old times at Highland Service. It was a pleasure to have known Leo, and to be called his friend. Chickie & Vinny (Highland) Repaci.

Mr. Dragani,
I will miss you very much.. You were always like a second dad to me!,always looking out for me and everyone.. I will always remember your kindness and special way about you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Claudia Cardinali Costa
Simsbury, CT

Lisa, Dana, Leo and my dear friend Barbara.
Marie and I share your loss, but know that Leo, one of our very best friend's, is in Heaven at peace with the Lord, doing "his thing". He left me to "block by myself, on the right side of the line". I know he's looking down and watching over all off us, for he really cared for each of us. I can never forget you, Leo, because I have your gift of my Seabee Ring to remind me of the good times that we shared together. Rest in peace my good friend. Don't go off sides and Remember the count! Marie and Bill Piciulli, Rye Brook, NY

Leo,you surely will be missed, and I will always remenber the moments seeing you on the field refereeing for the midget teams.may god watch over you.

Dear Dragani family
I'll never forget Leo's kindness and generousity. As a young kid from Washington Park,we would play a game called Ringoleaveo.The boundaries were from Ridge St to South Regent. After the game Leo and Herbie and Deadie would take us younger guys to the Texas lunch for hambugers. They would have to cook at least three dozen at a time. He always picked up the tab and we really appreciated it. So long Leo till we meet again

Leo, because you were special to Barbara, you were special to me. I will miss you and your ever present tooth picks.

Dear Dragani Family,

I found this quote, and thought it fitting for your father.

"For when the One Great Scorer comes, to write against your name,
He writes - not that you won or lost, but how you played the game."
.........Grantland Rice

Leo, you did "Good"...will miss seeing you at our reunion meetings.

With sincerest sympathy,
Class of '51

Dear Lisa, Dana and Leo,

I would like to write about your Dad from the time you kids came to Pa. when you were children to when you all grew up and had your own lives to live. I remember when as soon as you kids came through the door you raced up the stairs and flopped on the beds to read the Archie comics. That was a lot of years ago. I will always treasure the memories of those times. Then it came down to only Dana and your Dad coming for the weekend. Then when she met Chris it was just about the end of the Dragani visits. I cherish those memories. But nothing stays the same. Your Dad's passing left a big hole in our lives. He was all about family. When he would call here, he never said hello - he would always start right in with saying he was the Fuller brush man or something crazy. He truly was one of a kind. I remember years ago Readers Digest (I think it was) had a segment called, "The
most unforgetable character I ever met." That was your Dad. He was
caring, loving, and giving to a fault, and we are privileged to say we knew him and loved him and will always carry the memories of him in our hearts until we see him again. I'm sure that when he stood at heaven's gates he was greeted with the words, "Well done, good and
faithful servant."

Love, Aunt Bert

Leo,
I miss you more as each day passes,your passing has affected me in such a way that words just can't explain. I was always a crier as you know and my recent tears shed for you can definatly compare to our recent rains here
in Port Chester. It doesn't seem possible that you are not with us -I miss you pulling into the driveway at any hour of the day, I miss seeing your car at the 'joint', I just plain 'ole miss you!! I am so happy that you didn't suffer and am grateful that you were at home. None of us would change a minute of how we spent our time with you. You and Mom (Barbara) had the best of times always and that is so special - I thank you for you and the happiness that you and Mom had all these years, for all your memories that you've given Ed and I and the 'gang'. I so hope that you are enjoying yourself up there in that magical place I believe heaven to be. Look after us and watch over Mom, as we will do down here and shall we all remember so fondly - "Life is wonderful, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I"
The Lippies love you Leo, Poppy, Studly!
Michele Ed Eddie Eve and Ka Ka Ka Katie your little beautiful lady!

Leo was always a good friend and a great person to know. He will be remembered by me and by all who had the pleasure of working with him. He will be truly missed.

I still can't believe he's gone. He was one of those people you'd think would live forever, and if anyone deserved to it was him. He was not officially my father in-law but he treated me like a daughter, and my children like they were his grandchildren. I can still here him singing to me on the phone for every holiday, weather it be my birthday, 4th of July, Christmas, mothers day whatever, he would always make me smile. Especially when he'd call and leave a message if Leo and I weren't home. "Where the hell are you guys" he'd say. I'm also very happy he got to take a boat trip up the hudson with Leo and Lee, last summer it is something they will always remember. There are so many memories, too much to list but they will be in my hearts always. We love you and you will live in our hearts forever. I hope you are enjoying that hot sauce I gave you to go. I don't know if they'ed have it up there, and I know how you loved it on EVERYTHING!!!

Leo:
You were as good of a person that I have ever known.Take care of your players in Heaven where you are sure to end up.Have a nice trip.

Uncle Leo was my godfather, my mother's brother, and my favorite uncle in the Dragani Clan. He will always hold a very special place in my heart. He seemed so much bigger than life when I was a child and I looked up to him as I did my dad. He lived in the apartment below ours in my early years so I was able to see him often. He would come home from work and get ready to go out and I would pester him with questions like, "Where are you going? Can I come?" And his answer was always the same "Crazy! Wanna come?" And of course I always would! I would ask him everyday if I could be a bridesmaid in his wedding and he wasn't even engaged! But I would ask anyway. So when he finally did plan to get married I was more than thrilled when he did ask me to participate on that special day. He was a wonderful person with a great smile and a wonderful, positive outlook on life and I will miss him so much.

Leo was my father-in-law, a Christian and truly good man. I will remember him as someone very generous and always willing to help, no matter what the situation was. When I came into his family I was accepted as if I always was. I'm very grateful and indebted to him for the gift he's given me - his daughter Dana. We love and miss you Dad!!

I didn't know uncle Leo as long as everyone else, but from the first time I met him I new he was a nice down to earth kind of guy. I first met him at Dana and Chris's wedding. From day one, he always made me feel like part of the family. Through Mandy's many stories about Uncle Leo and happy memories, I've grown to appreciate the positive impact that he had in her life. Uncle Leo you will always be remembered.

I just don't know what to say because I love Uncle Leo so much, I don't think losing anyone has ever been so hard for me. My parents called Phil first so he could be with me when they told me because they knew I was in my "postpartum funk". Phil told me something was wrong, and I immediately prayed "Lord, please don't let it be Nanny, Poppop, Aunt Jamie, or Uncle Leo." I could deal with anything else, but Uncle Leo was my favorite Uncle, and I never got to see him as often as I would have liked, and didn't always have the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. I always thought he would live to be 100 with all that hot sauce he ate- it's supposed to be good for your metabolism. I never imagined we'd lose him before he got to meet our baby. I wrote to him just before he passed to tell him how I could not wait for him to meet "our little moose" (we gave the baby his nick name because he was almost 10 lbs). We're raising Baby Phil as a Giants fan in honor of Uncle Leo- I still remember him setting me straight when I was a little girl & I wanted to root for the Cardinals (or some bird-name team)instead of the Giants because it sounded like an unfair match up to me. I have been a Giants fan ever since. If somewhere down the line we have another son, we are naming him Leo. I will never forget Uncle Leo, and how he always called me sweetheart. He will always be my favorite uncle.

Dear Dana,Lisa,Leo and Michele:

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He was such a nice, gentle, but strong man. He will always be remembered as someone who shared his time with the kids of the Village of Port Chester. As the mother of two children who went through the Midget Football League program that your father was so proud of, I know I will miss him. I don't know if you remember me, but I use to babysit you when you were all little. I am Jeam Mears' daughter. Everyday, when your father came home from work he would tell me something I did wrong that day. Something minor, nothing big. The one thing I always laughed with your father about was how I learned never to put the knives and forks sharp side up in the dish drain after I wash them as people could get hurt that way. He would laugh and so would I. Well, be proud of him and his accomplishments. He loved you all very much.

To: Family of Leo (Elio) P Dragani
The Britto & Santos Families of Port Chester, NY wish to extend our deepest sympathies for your loss of one of the 'great ones' of the Port Chester Family.
I personally, will never forget him and his advice to me when I broke my leg playing softball. He advised me on how to care for it and build it back to the point of where it was before it was broken.
With his football background he knew a great deal about such injuries. Our Family Thanksgiving Dinners were always enhanced by having attended the Father Alphonso Football games on that day, due, in no small part, to Leo's exploits on the football gridiron.
I will always remember Leo and the feats he performed on the Football Field, but most of all, I will remember him as a Man who was always concerned for others.
May he rest in peace.
John M. Santos

Little Leo, Lisa, Dana, other family members, and my good friend Barbara. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time in your lives, but we rejoice with you because we know that Leo is in Heaven with all his former buddies, I'm sure either playing or officiating a football game.
I was so pleased to spend some quality time with him recently, because that's what he was, a "Quality Man", loved by too many people to count on your hands.
You may not be aware, but his 4 close Seabee buddies will never forget him, because each day we get to look at the beautiful Seabee Ring that Leo gave each one of us, and all the fond memories of him return.
May God Bless and keep safe each and everyone one of you.