LEON CIFERNI

Leon Patrick Ciferni Active in his Berkeley Heights community, devoted father and grandfather Leon Patrick Ciferni, 79, formerly of Berkeley Heights, N.J., passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2016, with his family by his side. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation today, Monday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, June 21, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Paul Ippolito Berkeley Memorial, 646 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 22, beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass to be offered at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Little Flower on Plainfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights. Interment will be private. Please visit ippolitofuneralhomes.com for additional information and to send condolences. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Leon was a longtime resident of Berkeley Heights. He earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and graduated from Fordham University School of Law. Leon had a long career as a senior bank attorney at Chemical Bank and later at NatWest Bank USA, where he was senior vice president and general counsel. Leon was an active member of the Berkeley Heights community, serving on the planning board as well as chairman of the board of adjustment, and on the township committee. He also served a term as mayor of Berkeley Heights. He was a strong supporter and board member of the Veterans Memorial Park restoration. Leon was also a volunteer with the United Way, and an usher at the Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights and at St. Frances Church in Brant Beach. He previously served on the board of directors at Cabrini Hospital. Leon was a passionate man of many diversified interests. He loved the opera, cars, politics, and cooking both gourmet and traditional Italian meals for his family and friends. He devoured books, was a history buff, and an avid fan of the New York Mets. He enjoyed many years of traveling with his beloved wife, Connie. He had many cherished friends with whom he enjoyed spending time. But most of all, he loved being a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his loving children, Susan Kinsella and her husband, Joseph, Claudia Farrell and her husband, John, and Noel Baumann and her husband, Todd; brother, Richard Ciferni and his wife, Nina, and sister-in-law, Paula Tarzian. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Joseph, Rebecca, Nicholas, and Michael Kinsella, Talia, Luke, and Julia Farrell, and Amelia, Anthony, and Natalie Baumann. Leon was predeceased by his beloved wife, Constance, in 2013, and brother, M. John. Donations in Leon's memory may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the Civil War Trust by visiting www.inmemoryof-memorial.org