Dr. Leonard Costantini

NORTH LIMA - Having dedicated his life to his family, faith, country and educational pursuits, Dr. Leonard V. Costantini passed away on Aug. 21, 2015, at the age of 87.

Born in Parlett, on Sept. 3, 1928, to Rose Virginia (Patchen) Costantini and Guy Costantini, Dr. Costantini graduated from Hopedale High School in 1946 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1950, where he was a member of the Notre Dame Glee Club.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, and was a veteran of the Korean War. He entered the field of education upon completing his military service, teaching algebra at Hopedale High School, and was accepted into The Ohio State University program for Education Administration, where he earned a Master's Degree and Ph.D. It was at Ohio State that Leonard met graduate student, Ann Keck, as she pursued her Master's Degree in Nursing. Ann and Leonard married in June of 1966.

Upon receiving his doctorate, Dr. Costantini was selected as the assistant dean of Summer Sessions at Syracuse University.

Leonard and Ann became parents to Julie Ann (Costantini) Van Devender in 1967, and Amy Christine (Costantini) Smith in 1968.

As superintendent of Solvay Schools, Dr. Costantini guided the schools through difficult economic times, while insuring that educational, art, sports and music programs thrived. He was especially fond of the school's musical programs, and just prior to his retirement, was invited to fulfill a wish of his which was to conduct a John Philip Sousa march for the Solvay School band concert.

Dr. Costantini was honored for numerous academic achievements and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He was also acknowledged for various charitable works, including fundraising efforts with the United Way in Central New York. While living in Solvay, N.Y., Dr. Costantini was a member of St. Cecelia's Catholic Church, and upon moving to North Lima in 1998, Ann and Leonard became members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Boardman.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Solvay and Youngstown, was past commander of the American Legion Post 682 in Hopedale, and was a member of the VFW, Stanley B Pennock Post in Solvay.

Dr. Leonard Costantini is survived by his loving wife, Ann (Keck) Costantini; daughters Julie (Costantini) Van Devender and husband Paul, and Amy (Costantini) Smith and husband James; and his grandchildren, Olivia Rose, Aiden, Joshua Ryan, and Nichole Van Devender, and Philip, Emily, and Daniel Smith; and sisters Cecilia Gill and Claire Snyder.

Leonard had a wonderful sense of humor, enthusiasm for life and family gatherings, was dedicated to his country and the principals that make it strong, held a deep love for his wife and children and lived life as he taught others - to leave the world better than we found it.

Calling hours will be held at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Boardman. A military burial will take place thereafter at Greenwood Cemetery near Steubenville.

Visit www.higgins-reardom.com to view this obituary and send condolences.