Sonny Leon

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Leon (Sonny) Lucchesi, 78, of Pleasant Plains, a retired firefighter and father of three, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay.

Born in the Bronx, he moved to downtown Manhattan when he 13 years old, and graduated from Stuyvesant High School.

He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the former Richmond College.

Mr. Lucchesi spent many summers at his family's bungalow on "Riley Beach" in Tottenville. It was there he met his wife, the former Frances Buchanan.

Upon their marriage in 1961, the couple moved into a home in Prince's Bay, which Mr. Lucchesi built himself. Nine years later, he constructed another house - this one "just a town over" in Pleasant Plains.

Mr. Lucchesi had resided in that home at the time of his death.

"He was an excellent carpenter and mechanic. He could fix anything," said his wife.

Mr. Lucchesi's passion for carpentry never ceased; he recently acted as general contractor for his two daughters, helping to build their homes.

"My father was a great man and dad. He made sure we always had what was needed," said his daughter, Carol Lucchesi. "He will be greatly missed."

From 1956 to 1958, Mr. Lucchesi served stateside, as a private first class, in the U.S. Army. He also served for 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, his division based out of Governor's Island.

In 1962, Mr. Lucchesi joined the New York City Fire Department. He retired 27 years later from Engine Co. 162/Ladder 82 in Great Kills.

Upon retirement, Mr. Lucchesi remained active in the Staten Island division of the FDNY Retirees Association.

He was a parishioner of St. Joseph and St. Thomas R.C. Parish, Pleasant Plains.

Mr. Lucchesi "loved the water" and enjoyed fishing. He also liked to cook, especially Italian food. While with the FDNY, he could often be found whipping something up in the firehouse kitchen.

"He was a man of many talents," said Frances, his wife of 50 years.

In addition to his wife, Frances, and his daughter, Carol, Mr. Lucchesi is survived by his son, John; his daughter, Dianne Murphy; a sister, Maryann Miller, and two granddaughters.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, also Pleasant Plains.

Services: St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church Thursday, January 12,2012 9:30AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, January 11,2012 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Thomas The Apostle RC Church