Leo was a quiet man who never questioned his love for two things-his family and his fire department. He and his wife‚ Shirley‚ would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on April 21‚ 2010. Together they had five sons‚ Michael‚ Mark‚ Dale‚ Jeffrey‚ and Rick. Leo loved spending time with his seven grandchildren‚ Nick‚ Taryn‚ Nathan‚ Courtney‚ Seth‚ Cade‚ and Carson. He enjoyed taking them fishing and spending time with them at home. He also doted on his three great-grandchildren‚ Trevor‚ Kali‚ and Brianna.

Leo loved to hunt. He only took time away from work and the fire department twice a year when it was deer or turkey season. When he wasn’t hunting he liked to stay close to home with his family‚ where he enjoyed reading western novels and repairing things. When he and Shirley wanted to build their house‚ he built it with his own two hands. He was a headstrong man who never backed down from a challenge and always stood for what he thought was right.

Leo was a leader in everything he was ever involved in. He worked at the brickyard in South Shore‚ Kentucky‚ for 37 years and served as the president of their local union. He served on the Morgan Township Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years‚ 35 of those years as fire chief‚ until he retired from that position in 2008. He was serving as a lieutenant at the time of his death. The fire department was one of the most important things in Leo’s life. He rarely missed a call unless he was on a hunting trip. He was highly respected by all of the members of the department‚ but especially the younger members who looked to him for instruction on operation of the department apparatus. He was considered the department expert when it came to driving and operating the fire trucks.

Leo’s strong influence is missed within his fire department‚ but most of all he is missed for his friendship‚ his passion for the fire service‚ and the vast knowledge for which he was depended upon. He is missed by his family for his love‚ devotion‚ and guidance. Those who knew and loved Leo will continue to be influenced by his strong‚ honorable example for the rest of their lives.