Aniello "Neal" Lettieri

Aniello "Neal" Lettieri, age 81, of Streetsboro, passed away Friday, March 7, 2025. Neal is the beloved husband of 57 years to Kathy (nee Scibetta); devoted father of Joseph (Susan) Lettieri and Rose (George) Brackett; cherished grandfather of Amanda Brown, Rebecca Brown, Mark Lettieri, Angela Lettieri, Maria Lettieri, Matthew Lettieri, Katherine Lettieri and the late Anthony Lettieri; loving brother of Anella (Andre, deceased) LaManna, Angela (Sebastiano, deceased) Corbisiero, Anna (Mario, deceased) Nazarro and the late Rose (Angelo) Arvonia, Maria (Paul, surviving) Godoy and Carmine (Gemma, surviving) Lettieri; dear uncle and great uncle of many.
Neal was born in Roccarainola, Italy near Naples. In this idyllic setting, Aniello and his six siblings helped tend the family farm, often moving from the village to the mountain farm. This was a hard life, but Neal had many fond memories and stories from his childhood, which he would share over a glass of wine after a family feast. Grandchildren and nieces and nephews can all recount Nonno's "story of the bird" or antics with his younger sister, Anna. Neal had to quit school early after his father's illness to help on the farm and it is then that he developed his life-long love of gardening.
In the 1960s, Neal immigrated to New York and had many jobs as a candy-maker, taxi driver and mechanic. He then met Kathleen Lettieri and the two were married in 1967 and settled in Hicksville, NY, where their oldest child, Joey, was born. The family later moved farther east on Long Island to the (then rural) town of Manorville, NY. It is here that their youngest child, Rosemarie, was born and Neal began his 30-year business as a used car salesman. Neal was known by all for his spectacular home garden, his yearly homemade wine and his warm hospitality to friends and family alike. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and the wonderful home he and Kathy had built together through tireless hard work and dedication to the simple things.
After retiring, Neal and Kathy relocated to Streetsboro, OH, to be close to family. He was a well-known fixture at his grandchildren's sporting events as well as the local community garden in Aurora, where he re-created a little oasis reminiscent of his beloved garden from Manorville. He and Kathy enjoyed visiting local car shows with his Pontiac Montecarlo. Neal always maintained the strong work ethic he had learned in his early days in the hills near Napoli. He spent his final years cooking and caring for his dear wife, Kathy. All who knew him, remember him as always on the go, always busy, and always willing to help anyone in need or stop for a quick chat with a stranger. His ready smile, friendly, loquacious demeaner and unending hospitality will be missed.
The family will receive friends 4-7PM Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, 19 E. Main Street (on the square), Hudson, OH. Neal's Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00AM Friday, March 14, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 340 N. Main St., Hudson, OH. (Everyone please meet at church.) Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, OH.
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