Julio H. Leandri

1923 - 2015

Groton - Julio H. Leandri, 91, formerly of Tyler Ave., Groton, died peacefully Sunday morning, Jan. 4, 2015, at Fairview in Groton.

He was born in Groton, on June 21, 1923, the son of Albert and Marina (Fiorini) Leandri. Julio was a 1941 graduate of Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served honorably in World War II with the Amphibious Forces in the Pacific. He attended college on the GI Bill and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1950.

Julio married Frances Ferri of Waterford, on Oct. 28, 1950, at Sacred Heart Church in Groton.

He then served honorably as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Julio began a long and proud career with the City of Groton Department of Utilities while he was a student at UConn. He retired as Manager of Utilities in 1985 and soon after was appointed by the Groton City Council to serve on the Utilities Commission, where he served as commissioner and secretary until 2005. Julio's service to public power extended beyond Groton Utilities and into his retirement. He served for many years as secretary of the Connecticut Municipal Electric and Gas Association and later served 10 terms as a board member and chairman of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperation. He served on the board of the Northeast Public Power Association as well as the Association's Legislative Committee. He was a member of the American Public Power Associations' Policy Board Advisory Committee. He also served as the interim executive director of the Northeast Public Power Association.

In recognition for his nearly 60 years of service to the City of Groton, Julio was honored in 2005 by the Groton Utility Commission when the new water operations building was named the "Julio H. Leandri Operations Complex". He was also honored by Mayor Catherine Kolnaski upon his retirement in 1985 with the establishment of "Julio H. Leandri Day" in the City of Groton. His other awards included Northeast Public Power Association's Person of the Year, Personal Service Award, and Distinguished Service Award, as well as the American Public Power Association's Vanderlinden Public Service Award.

Julio was a devoted supporter of the University of Connecticut. He served as president of the National Alumni Association, on the board of directors of the UConn Club and as a member of the President's Athletic Advisory Committee. He was very proud to establish the endowed "Leandri Family Athletic Scholarship" with his wife, Frances, and his children. Julio was also an active volunteer in many community efforts. He was a past president of the Groton Public Health Nursing Service, past president of the Groton Lions Club, past president and treasurer of the Groton Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union, and a past commander of American Legion Post #114 in Groton. He served on the board of trustees of the Groton Elks, the school board of the Norwich Diocese, and the board of the Colonel Ledyard Cemetery Association. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Groton and was a life member of the Groton Sportsmen's Club, the Groton Lodge of Elks, and the Italian American Citizens' Club of Groton.

Julio was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be deeply missed and always remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Frances of Groton; his daughter, Lisa Leandri Trolan and her husband, Michael, of Groton; and by his son, John and his wife, Barbara, of Gales Ferry. He was lovingly known as "Bucky" by his three grandchildren, Steven, Michael, and Anna Leandri, all of Gales Ferry.

He was predeceased by a son, Steven, and a brother, Romeo.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Fairview for their tremendous care and support of Julio over the past five years.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. The funeral will assemble at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, at Sacred Heart Church, Groton. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in New London.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julio's memory to the Fairview Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340.

Condolence messages may be left on Mr. Leandri's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.