Leonard Leon Plichta Jr.

Leonard Leon Plichta Jr., affectionately known as "Cuda Man," passed away peacefully at his home in Benicia, California, on January 27, 2026. He was 65 years old.

Leonard was born on August 24, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. Over the course of his life, he lived in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Reno and Sacramento before finally settling in Benicia in 2017, a community he proudly called home.

A hardworking and versatile man, Leonard spent his latest years as a truck driver. He also worked for many years as a welder and as a produce department manager at several grocery stores. Known for his mechanical expertise, Leonard was talented who could fix just about anything. His pride and joy was his beloved 1971 Plymouth Cuda which inspired his well-earned nickname, "Cuda Man."

Music was another lifelong passion. Leonard was a former drummer and guitar player who loved classic rock and heavy metal. He played in several small bands over the years and was an avid fan of Y & T, a South Bay–formed heavy metal band. He also enjoyed collecting Hot Wheels, football cards and vinyl records.

Leonard lived life at full throttle and never did anything halfway. He loved dirt bike riding, and car racing. He was a devoted football fan, a former USFL player, and ran track during his high school years. He was also a black belt in fujitsu and taekwondo and a fan of tattoos that reflected his bold spirit.

Leonard is survived by his beloved wife, Vanessa DiGiovanni; his sons by marriage, David DiGiovanni (Kara), and Christian DiGiovanni (Briana), and his daughters Kristy Avila (Angel) and Shauna Kanani. He is also survived by his mother, Merline Plichta; his sister, Linda Hedlund (Jim), his brothers, Vincent Plichta (Cindy) and Donald Plichta (Keri) and his beloved cat Ariel.

Leonard will be remembered for his passion, his loyalty, his unmistakable edge, and the way he lived life all-in-always loud, always fast, and always true to himself.

Memorial services to be held at a later date.