Obituary of Leonard Thomas Pappalardo

Leonard T. Pappalardo, long-time resident of Morris Plains, NJ, passed on April 11, 2024, in Flemington, NJ. He was 94 years old. He was born on December 1, 1929, in Bronx, New York, to Leonard and Marianna Pappalardo, who had emigrated to the US from Sicily. He graduated with degrees in chemistry from Fordham University and New York University and pursued post-graduate studies at Columbia University.

In the early 1950s, he served in the US Army, attaining the rank of sergeant. Leonard’s successful career as a chemist spanned over five decades as he worked for Texas Chemical, Bell Laboratories, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. While studying at NYU he met Rosa Gloria Borgia, and they became married in 1955. Leonard and Gloria settled in Morris Plains in 1960 and raised their family there. They traveled through life together until Gloria passed in 2019.

Leonard loved his country and was proud of his service to the nation in the Army and with the EPA. He was recognized by the EPA for his efforts at the cleanup site in New York City following the 9/11 attacks. He followed current news events closely and enjoyed debating friends and family on the issues of the day. Leonard was happiest working with his saws, drills, wrenches, and other tools — e.g., creating new bookshelves, repairing a dishwasher, or installing lighting fixtures. He meticulously planned out each project, and carefully and methodically executed his plan to completion. The home in Morris Plains is replete with his handiwork. He also generously used these skills to help out friends and family. In 1987, Leonard and Gloria built a vacation home in Lake Placid, NY, providing their children (and later their grandchildren) with year-round opportunities to experience the beauty of the Adirondacks. Len enjoyed captaining the boat while the kids waterskied, treating the family to ice cream, and (of course) finishing off woodworking projects at the Lake Placid house. Leonard will be remembered as a man who believed in hard work, but who also enjoyed simple pleasures like caring for one of his canine companions, telling stories about growing up in the Bronx with his cousins, and topping off a cheesecake dessert with a swirl of whipped cream.

Leonard is survived by his four children, Marianne, Leonard, Charles, and Roseanne, as well as 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and his dog Marcy.

Visitation: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10, Randolph

Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at St. Virgil's Church, 250 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains

Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover