Leonard Aynardi

Aynardi, Leonard

age 99 of University City, MO, died Sunday, May 12, at his son Matthew's home in Portland NY, just 6 days short of his 100th birthday.

Len was born in Aliquippa PA, May 18, 1924 to the late Silvio and Maria (Tonda) Aynardi. The Aynardi family moved to Portland in 1939. Len graduated from Brocton Central HS in 1942. A US Army veteran, he served in Europe from 1943 to 1946.

Len married his high school classmate Donna West, in 1947. In 1951, after obtaining a degree in Physical Chemistry from Antioch College, Len and Donna moved to St Louis where Len began his career in chemical engineering. He worked for Monsanto Chemical Company until the early 1980s, then for several years as a consultant, specializing in process control engineering.

Len and Donna traveled widely, touring Mexico and Europe, and visiting friends in Kansas City and their sons on the west coast. They spent several weeks every summer in Portland, visiting friends and family.

Len was a voracious reader with interests ranging from science and engineering to literature, art and music. For many years he served on the board of the University City Public Library. He was an amateur astronomer and built his own telescopes. Len and Donna both loved art and music and visited museums and attended concerts in St. Louis and wherever they traveled.

Len was predeceased by his wife Donna, his brother and sister, Rudolph (Rudy) and Anna Aynardi, and his grandson Alexander McGrath. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Matt and Becky (of Portland, NY), David and Carol (Seattle, WA), and Tim and Jan (Seattle, WA).