Pete Leo walked into heaven January 2, 2014. He was born July 31, 1916 in Miles City, MT the son of Sam Leo and Mary (Ferrara) Leo. His sisters were Mary Jurica, Stella Banks, Lee Berry and Evie Jennings. He graduated from Custer County High School. He serviced in the U.S. Army in Korea, and was discharged in 1946. He married Catherine Darcy on May 29m 1937. They happily raised three daughters, Mary Catherine Leo Spear of St. Peters, MO., Nancy Ann Leo Wilcox and Joan Leo Clark of Billings, MT. He is survived by 2 daughters, 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Dad enjoyed 56 years of marriage with Mom. They loved being with family and friends filled with endless talking, laughing and food. They loved to travel, usually road trips. They went border to border and coast to coast. They visited Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and Germany. Dad was an exceptional vegetable gardener and liked taking care of his yard. He had boundless energy, enthusiasm for the world, and utter good humor and faith. He was always and daily grateful for the blessings and richness of his life and all the people in it.
His work life included 21 years with the Milwaukee Railroad. The remainder of his work life was a backhoe operator for the city of Miles City until retirement. He enjoyed all his co-workers throughout his life. He donated his time and work to the Sacred Heart School and Parish as he was a lifetime parishioner. He was happy to have been of service and a member of the Milwaukee Service Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW. He was happy to have donated over 13 gallons of blood in his lifetime for others. He funded a nursing scholarship at Miles Community College. He enjoyed sharing the last 18 years with his special companion, Donna Strom. They loved each other’s company, sharing their time and various trips. He was well known for walking Miles with a greeting of a smile and a “thumbs up”. His grateful, loving spirit shone from him. Love has been given and received.
We want to thank everyone who cared for and about him; the Jurica cousins especially Kay who came to be with him. The Gaglia family, the Strom family, Gary Field, Dr. Gallo, the hospice team and the extended care staff at Holy Rosary Hospital. We are grateful for each of you, family and friends who made his life replete. His feelings towards chocolate was the same as to life—SAVOR IT! Happy Trails Dadsie!
A vigil service will be held on Friday January 17, 2014 at 6:00pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 18, 2014 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial following at Calvary cemetery.
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday January 17, 2014
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 18, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
Saturday January 18, 2014
Calvary Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday January 17, 2014
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday January 18, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
120 N. Montana
Miles City, MT 59301
Rite of Committal
Saturday January 18, 2014
Calvary Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Ed and Becky Gergen says
Pete was such a nice man. We truly enjoyed meeting him going up or down North Montana on his walks. He always had a smile and gave a thumbs up. All of us will miss seeing him.
Dean Holmes says
What a great guy. Pete lived a full life and he also touched a lot of lives in the process. Pete’s years at the city were very positive. You were one who made being mayor fun.
Denise Oberlander Harvey says
He now walking the streets of heaven with his thumbs up!
Dannette and Craig Cremer says
Loved seeing Pete out on his walks. You knew you were going to be greeted with a big smile and a “thumbs up”. His garden space was alway so neat and orderly – I don’t think the weeds had a chance!
Mary Beth Nickens says
Loved This Man!!!! He truly loved life and the good Lord!
Holly and Lloyd South says
He has been to us such a great and cheerful neighbor since moving to 1502 Leighton Blvd. So friendly and such a kind man always. We will miss him daily and his positive attitude. His garden and yard were beautiful !!
Diane Welbes says
Have so many fond memories, of time spent with family–He is now with Our Lord, and what a great place to be. You are all in my thoughts & prayers.
Tony Derrig says
Pete was always part of what made Miles City a special place. Every time I returned to visit my hometown, I would hope to see Pete. His positive attitude and smile on his face always made me feel better. My prayers go out to his family.
Dee & Chuck Brown says
We are thankful for the presence of Pete in our families life. What joy, happiness and companionship He brought to my Sister Donna and the rest of the Strom/Stockwell families! Pete always had a smile and kind and gracious words for all. He shall be greatly missed. I know where He is now for Scripture says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. 2 Cor. 5:8.Praying for those Pete left behind, especially Donna. She will miss His companionship more than anyone else.
Raelene Mercer says
The best of the best. He is already so very missed.
Rose Timmons says
I always enjoyed driving past him:) I loved his smile and thumbs up!! I will miss him. Thoughts and Prayer’s to his family and friends:
Maureen O'Reilly says
Miles City has lost an icon! Jack though so much of Pete (I did too) and Pete took many trips to the dump when Jack was going for St. Vincent DePaul. He rode out there with me one time after Jack had died and told me, “this pickup knows the way to the dump by itself”. I think Pete knows the way to Heaven.
Cathy Donnelly says
I have never seen such a positive, energetic, warm person in my life. He just radiated all of those traits everywhere he went. Always “thanking the man up there (pointing upward)
for every day I am given”. I will miss him dearly but what an example he set for all of us!
WWJD, he knew without a doubt 🙂
Jim Altenhofen says
He made everyone feel like you were his best friend. Miles City won’t be the same. I thought
sure that he would make 100.
Leo and Jo Jurica says
We will miss Uncle Pete and his wonderful smile and warm loving heart. He was an example to all with his positive attitude and energy, He was the last to carry on the Leo family name. Walk on Pete……..Happy Trails!
Jonette Balsam Doeden says
What a fine example for the rest of us! Driving down N. Montana will never be quite the same now. I so loved looking at Pete’s meticulous garden, seeing his smiling face, and getting a thumbs up. It seems like he lived his life kind of like he grew his garden–with very few weeds. What a privilege to have him in our lives and our community.
Laura Monasmith says
Mr. Leo has made me smile on many a day when I did not feel like it with just his thumbs up. He was a blessing on this earth.
Culver Family says
I know these tears, only mean I`ve been blessed to know Pete,
but I mourn for our loss, of a wonderful human being.
Dick
Mary Carranco Moeller says
The Leo family will always hold a special place in my heart. I have fond memories of Catherine and Pete. God Bless and prayers are with you all.
Danny Clark says
We will all miss Grampa Pete! I can only hope to be half the man he was. Everyone that ever met Grampa can tell you what a great guy he truly was! THUMBS UP and HAPPY TRAILS!!
Mary Setera says
Pete was definitely a blessing to everyone who met him. He was such a great example of a loving Christian. I thank God that I had the privilege to know him. May he rest in peace.
LeAnna Leo says
I will miss you very much Great – Grandpa Pete. I will always remember playing at the house, always coloring because there wasn’t much to do, other than go to the park. I love you so very much Grandpa Pete. We all miss you but we know that you are know with God, and that you are in a better place. I love you.<3
joe ferris says
although i never had the pleasure of meeting mister leo i will miss seeing him walk around sacred heart and always giving his thumbs up as you pass by your family is in my thoughts and prayers
Bonnie Stockwell says
It was truly a blessing to have Pete Leo presence in our family. A remarkable man with a bright personality that added to every family gathering. My prayers for the families and special prayers for Donna Strom. May God wrap you in his Peace and Comfort.
Betty Vail says
I’ll miss seeing Mr. Leo on his morning walk. I admired his dedication and spirit.
Gary Spear says
I was Pete’s Son-in-law for over 50 years and I never met anyone who had a single bad comment to make about Pete. He was truly a man to love. I am truly honored to have known him and he will be forever etched in my mind. God bless you Pete we all miss you very much.
Mel Peterson/Lucas Smith says
I will have fond memories of Pete from his smiling face to the beautiful gardens, and his notorious Thumbs Up. He had a knack for making even strangers feel important as they drove down Leighton Blvd. Future Sacred Heart Kids will never know your generous heart but the many kids who’ve known you will appreciate the special human being you truly were. Have a beautiful journey.
Pauline Thurston- A Boston friend says
I was fortunate to met Pete during one of his visits to the Milton, MA home of Mary Catherine and Gary Spear many years ago. He was one of the best. He will be missed by many , many people. Peace Pete.
Mardi Milligan says
It’s been years since I’ve seen Pete. The thought of seeing him on his walks puts a smile on my face. Such a wonderful gift to so many!
Lisa Clark says
I remember going on a lot of those wonderful walks with grandpa, when our family would go to Miles! One of my favorite things about going with him, on his walks. If I just so happened to be on his left side. He would ever so slow his pace down and the next thing I knew he would be on other side of me! He did this quite a few times. Then one day I asked him, why? He replied, the man should always be closest to the street, just in case something should happen! I was young and didn’t quite understand. I asked my mom. She told me that is what a gentlemen did! He was always so caring and passionate about life. We will all hold your memories so very dear to our hearts, love you Grandpa Pete!!
HAPPY TRAILS AND THUMBS !!!
Matt Smith says
A caring man who always made you feel better with a thumbs up. He will be missed.
Lyla Stockwell Ragar says
Pete was a wonderful gentleman who truly made my sister, Donna’s life more bearable after the death of her husband John Strom. When I visited in Miles City he was a joy to visit with, he was so friendly and optimistic and always smiling. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and especially with Donna, she will miss him so very much.
Shumon Pius says
I remember Pete well. He would greet me with friendliness whenever I passed his home. He was the kind of person who made me proud to say I am from Miles City.
He had a great life. That’s all any of us could ask for. Condolences to all those closest to him and may he rest in peace.
Mary Ellen Hanna says
You must have been a wonderful person, because your daughter Mary Catherine Spear is a wonderful person also.
Miles & Beth Ann Milligan says
Pete was a delight to all ! He occasionally would stop and visit Miles at the bike store and he always, always had a beautiful smile to share with everyone as he took his walks around town. We will miss him, too. Our thots and prayers are with you all.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Pete Leo – Certainly Mr. Leo was loved and his life touched many people. The Bible reminds us that God does not forget all of the love and fine works shown by his servants (Hebrews 6:10). We are also promised that there will be a time in which pain now experienced with this loss “will not be called to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God intended for mankind will be fulfilled including God’s “will being done as in Heaven also upon Earth” (Matthew 6:9, 10). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of future blessings (John 17:3).
Karen Krausz says
Pete was such a kind man. It was always a great day when I’d see him out walking. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Earl & Jean Kiddie says
We were so very sorry to learn of Pete’s death, but we have no doubts that he is now walking with all his loved ones in Heaven.
He was a great guy, and when I taught at Sacred Heart School, we would all look forward to his wave as he walked by our windows. He was a great and kind person, and even though we don’t live in MC anymore, we will miss him. Our deepest sympathy to his family and to Donna. Please know that you are all in our prayers!
Berta Cauthron says
My thoughts are with you, Nancy.
Bill and Ronda Griffin says
We will miss Pete! He was always so positive and a smile for everyone!! He was an inspiration to us all through his faith!! May he rest in peace. Bill and Ronda
Herman Venable says
My heart is filled with so many happy memories of the Leo home. I saw such kindness, gentleness happiness and joy in that family. I was truly blessed to experience that for a short snippet of time so many years ago. I will always carry it with me. I hope that his family can take solace knowing that Pete lived a life well done and is in the hands of his loving Father
catherine marie spear says
I will miss great grandpa Pete I didn’t know him very well but I did Know him and he was a great man a hero and I am proud to be his great grand kid.
Kevin & Lori Donnelly says
Sorry to here of your loss. Pete was a very nice person and will be missed by a lot of people.
Even the people who didn’t know him will miss seeing him walking around and shoveling his sidewalks. It always amazed me with how active he was and the care that he treated things with.
Kevin Donnelly
Jack Hanson says
Pete was so kind and thoughtful to us as your neighbors. You guys are an amazing family. Thoughts and prayers!