Leonard Mazzarisi

Leonard J. Mazzarisi, 88, of Richmond, a practicing attorney, died Sunday in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, following a brief illness.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he knew from an early age he wanted to be an attorney, writing about his goal in the autograph album of his PS 97 elementary school.

He graduated from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing and management from the City College of New York, now known as Baruch College.

While at City College, he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corp. and the school's boxing team.

Mr. Mazzarisi enrolled at Brooklyn Law School in 1947. He completed his studies in two years instead of the typical three graduating with the Class of 1949, earning a LLB and a JD.

He was a longtime member of the Brooklyn Law School's Alumni Association.

Mr. Mazzarisi was introduced by his sister to Juliet Silano, a school teacher at PS 97, who taught his niece. After a six-month courtship, they married in 1954.

In 1960, Mr. Mazzarisi launched his private practice, specializing in Real Property Law. After his son, Leonard, Jr., joined in 1986, the Bensonhurst practice became Mazzarisi & Mazzarisi. Mr. Mazzarisi practiced law for 63 years at his firm, and was working at the time of his death.

He mentored young attorneys, and was given the name senior by his tutees. In Brooklyn, Mr. Mazzarisi was a member of the Bay Ridge Kiwanis Club, serving as president in the 1960s. He served on the Community School Board of District 21 in Brooklyn during the early 1970s. In 1974, Mr. Mazzarisi, his wife and three children settled in Richmond,

He served for 10 years as a member of the Selective Service Board of Staten Island during the 1980s, and was invited to the 2001 inauguration of President George W. Bush.

Mr. Mazzarisi was a parishioner of St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Richmond.

He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. He was an avid reader with interests in World War II, art and antiques.

One of his great joys was being called grandpa, said his family.

My grandpa always made time for his grandchildren, whether it was taking us somewhere special, picking us up at the bus stop, listening to our stories or just talking about the events of the day, said his granddaughter, Juliet Schroder.

My dad was an amazing man, said his daughter, Lisa Schroder. He was a brilliant lawyer who truly loved his craft. My dad was a man who relished family gatherings. Talking at the table was always a requirement. It was the place to debate, discuss and learn. He will forever be a role model and inspiration to his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his daughter, Lisa Schroder, surviving are his wife of 59 years, Juliet Mazzarisi, his sons, Leonard, Jr. and Michael Mazzarisi; a brother Thomas Mazzarisi; two sisters, Jean Ferrara and Yolanda Armano, and six grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Richmond. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Services: St. Patrick's RC Church Thursday, May 9,2013 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, May 7,2013 & Wednesday, May 8,2013 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Moravian Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Patrick's RC Church