Leonardo Lamanna, age 76, passed away Saturday morning, June 8, 2024. Leonardo (known as ‘Nardo’ or sometimes ‘Leo’ to most family and friends) was a kind, generous and loving grandfather, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. Born October 31, 1947, in a small town in Calabria, Italy, Nardo emigrated to California at the young age of 15. He made the long journey with his beloved mother, Vittoria, to meet his father, Giovanni, who traveled earlier to establish a life for them, while his sister, Teresa, followed them later. Despite the challenges of starting life in a new country with a foreign language, Nardo quickly made friends. He was overjoyed to learn that his birthday landed on a fun-loving American holiday, Halloween. He loved this fact so much that he created a magical story for his kids and grandkids about how he was an alien that traveled to Earth in a giant pumpkin. His kids loved his magnificent imagination.

 

Nardo graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in electrical engineering. He eventually settled in Fremont, where he met his wife and had three children, Leo, Adam, and Rebecca. Despite getting divorced after nearly two decades of marriage, he remained strong, making his singular focus on giving his children happiness in life. He called his kids every day, so they always knew how much he loved them. When his youngest, Rebecca, became pregnant at an early age, Nardo gave nothing but support and was over the moon with joy at the idea of becoming a grandfather. Soon, Nardo would be the proud grandparent of five beautiful grandkids, four boys (Alec, Keanu, Akshal and Cayden) and one girl (Adeline). He loved seeing his family grow and cared for his daughters-in-law, Marianne and Lindsay, and soon-to-be son-in-law, John, as though they were his own kids.

 

He lived to serve his grandchildren and kept many Italian traditions alive in the family. Everyone, even his grandkids’ friends, called him “Nonno,” the Italian word for grandfather. He was involved in all his grandkids’ lives, including picking up the youngest two grandkids from school every Thursday. While his son, Adam, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay, appreciated the help, Nonno never viewed it as a chore. He saw it as a gift to see his grandkids regularly every week, taking them to the park, cooking dinner and putting them to bed at night after reading them their favorite books. The Lamanna family echoed with love, all as an image and reflection of the kindness he embodied. He was always saying, “Ti voglio tanto tanto bene” with every goodbye (Italian for “I love you very very much”).

 

Nardo was a proud zio (uncle) to his sister’s son, Frank. They developed such a deep bond that he was like a second father to his nephew. They enjoyed playing pranks on one another over their different tastes in music. Frank was more than a nephew, but a close friend and Zio Nardo included him in his friendships from work with Russ and Mike. Nardo had a gift for bringing people together and creating deep connections between the people he had in his life. They made great memories together. As an avid bike rider, Nardo experienced many long bike trips with his friends, enjoying each other’s company afterward with craft beers and great food.

 

Family meant everything to Nardo. He took care of his mother and lived with her until she passed at age 95. He sacrificed his own personal interests to be there for his mom. Also, a devoted brother, he spoke with his sister, Teresa, every day and visited her often. There are endless amounts of joyful memories thanks to Nardo, including family road trips to Eugene, numerous trips to the beach, visits to Great America, hikes at Big Basin to Berry Creek Falls, bike riding to Coyote Hills, and vacations to Pinecrest. 

 

Nardo loved staying active and taught his kids to play tennis, a sport he cherished. Time with him was never dull and always filled with fun activities like board games, Uno, Scopa, Monopoly, Backgammon, and so many more, keeping the competition passionate and lively. He loved sharing his fondness for sports with his children, always preparing elaborate feasts for the Super Bowls, especially to cheer for the 49ers when they made it. His daughter, Rebecca, became a calcio (soccer) fan and loved watching the World Cups, always rooting for Italy to win.

 

Nardo was so welcoming, always eager to share Italian recipes with his growing family, bringing them into the Lamanna traditions. He would tell his children that “Lamanna” means “food from heaven” and that was expressed through his passion for food, cooking lasagna for every special occasion. Every person in his family had their own favorite meal that Nonno would make. He loved passing on the teachings of making meatballs, lasagna, pasta with clam sauce, sausages, and many more.

 

Even with his ailments, suffering from degenerative disc disease and prostate issues at a young age, Nardo always persevered and pushed on for his family. He actively walked six miles daily, making new friendships with strangers along the way. His strong spirit kept him active until the end. As an organ donor, his selflessness lives on after him, as he wished to donate everything he could. As a result of his generosity, his leg bones have been donated so someone can walk again. His family is so proud that his kindness can carry on and help others in need, especially since walking was such a joyous part of his life.

 

Although he could only visit Italy once after he came to the United States, he remained connected with his family and childhood friends. Facebook enabled him to reunite with his school friends and it was a pleasure to see how easily their relationship picked up from where it left off, as though the decades that passed had no impact on their closeness. He continued to keep in touch with them and hoped to see them again. Nardo’s kids planned a trip to Italy in 2025 so he could show them where he grew up. While his family is in agony that he can no longer join them, they hope to still make the trip to honor his memory and know he will be there in spirit.

 

Nardo’s friends and family believe that he tried to reach out in the after life to say goodbye. The morning after his passing, his close friend Russ was surprised to see a giant black moth swoop down on him from a tree while gardening. On the same day, his daughter-in-law, Marianne, and grandson, Keanu, saw a big black moth on their morning walk. His second son, Adam, witnessed a giant white moth on his patio for two weeks, shortly after Nardo’s recent surgery and when his ailments started to surface. It is believed that a white moth guides us on a spiritual journey of transformation beyond the veil of the physical world. There is a Hawaiian belief that the black witch moth, associated with death, is the soul returning to say goodbye. 

 

Goodbye to our beloved Leonardo, Nardo, Dad, Popini, Pops and Nonno, as we always said to one another, “we love you to the moon and back and forth.”

In lieu of a donation or flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Nardo's name.