Leonard J. Pagano

Leonard J. Pagano returned to the Lord Saturday April 1, 2017 at his home in Urbandale while sleeping peacefully surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. He had suffered a debilitating brain aneurysm some time ago but defied the odds and lived a full life for 15 more years. As he said " Anybody that doesn't believe in prayer needs to talk to me"

He was given the gift of life on June 25, 1946. The son of Leo and Wanda (Coppi) Pagano. Leonard attended St. Joseph's elementary school and graduated high school from Dowling. Born and raised on the east side as a young man he worked in the family grocery store and enlisted in the USMC in October of 1965. He was given an honorable discharge in October 1971 as a lance corporal. He married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Martina O'Connor on May 9, 1970. They were blessed with 6 children.

Leonard owned and operated several family contracting business over the course of his life. Most recently he worked at Aqua Care USA as a speech therapist.

He was fond of the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Notre Dame, and Dowling High School sports. But most importantly he was a devoted family man. He will be greatly missed. We are blessed that we had him for the time that we did. He was a friend to all and a stranger to none. He was well known as an honest and honorable man with a quiet demeanor

All were welcome to his Sunday noon "dinners". He was a talented cook and a gracious host, the sauce was wonderful, and good times were enjoyed by all of his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving bride of 46 years, Martina; and all of his 6 children and 6 grandchildren, Tony of Urbandale and his sons, Nicholas and Christopher, Troy of Des Moines, Gina Pagano-Rude and her husband Jeff, daughter, Emma and sons, Jack and Leo of Clive, Frank and his wife April and son, Frankie Jr of Waukee, Joe and his wife Bailey of Clive, and daughter Angelina of Clive; two brothers, Michael Joseph Pagano and his family of Urbandale and Chuck Pagano and his family of Altoona; his Uncle Phillip Pagano of West Des Moines; and too many cousins, nephews, and nieces to count. Leonard was proceeded in death by his parents, Leo and Wanda; brother, Richard Carzoli; and his beloved Aunt Mary.

Services will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3663 66th Street in Urbandale, Iowa with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery.

RIP Marine. Stand down, you are now home safe, "Semper Fi".

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