Hudson – Francisco M. Leonardo, 83, of Hudson, MA, passed away from natural causes while fishing on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal. He is reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 53 years, Deolinda S. (Sousa) Leonardo, who predeceased him on October 6, 2018.
Francisco was born in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal on June 9, 1938, a son of the late Joao M. and Rita E. (Monteiro) Leonardo. He was raised in Santa Maria where he tended to his family farm and subsequently served in the Portuguese Army for 2 years at the age of 20. At the age of 24, he immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he lived with his brother and worked in construction.
While in Canada he corresponded with the love of his life Deolinda and on November 26, 1966 they were married in Santo Espirito, Santa Maria and shortly after settled in Hudson, MA, where Deolinda was already residing. Francisco continued his career in construction in the United States, working as a laborer in the local 609 for 34 years in a variety of major construction projects.
Francisco was a kind and gracious person with a great sense of humor, who cherished spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He was very active, fit and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed helping his children with home renovations and landscaping projects. He also enjoyed going on walks as well as working outside. True to his island heritage he was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed spending his summers at his home in Santa Maria and his annual visits there during the winter as well. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Francisco is survived by his three children, Mark S. Leonardo and his fiancé Christina Terranova of Hudson, Paul S. Leonardo and his wife Carla of Hudson and Amy L. Nicolosi and her husband Sean of Hudson; his brother, David Leonardo, and his wife Ines of Hudson; 8 grandchildren, Luke Leonardo, Mark Leonardo, Samuel Leonardo, Sonya Leonardo, Jacob Leonardo, Emma Leonardo, Maia Nicolosi, and Colin Nicolosi; and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Maria Machado, Filomena Machado, Joao Machado, Ines Machado, Jose Machado, Antonio Machado, Laura Maria Machado, Manuel Leonardo and Jaime Leonardo.
Relatives and friends are invited to a period of visitation from 4-7 pm on Friday, March 25, 2022 at TIGHE HAMILTON REGIONAL FUNERAL HOME, 50 Central St., Hudson, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 am on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Saint Michael Parish, 21 Manning St., Hudson, MA; followed by Committal Services at Saint Michael Cemetery in Hudson.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Church, 20 High St., Hudson, MA 01749; www.stmikes.org
