Len Chianese

Len D. Chianese (also known as L.D., Mr. Bodyside or Mr. BS for short), 63 passed away Wednesday evening following a brief illness. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on October 26, 1950 to the late Mario "Fatty" and Jessie "Dolly" Chianese (née Leone), Len was a 1968 graduate of Austintown Fitch, and he attended Youngstown State University. He retired from General Motors in 2003 after 31 years of service.

Len was many things to his friends and family: He was a raconteur, always able to impress an audience with his charm and wit; an intellectual, with interests in music, photography, film, trivia, sports, politics and history; a talented and fearless cook, who was sometimes too willing to improvise in the kitchen (he once substituted ginger snaps for ground ginger in a recipe); a man of principle and integrity, who never took himself too seriously, often bucked authority, and always found pleasure in taking on bullies. He was a published author and gifted wordsmith, so much so that he was often tasked with the unenviable responsibility of writing the family obituaries. Still, his greatest legacy and the thing he was most proud of is the family that he selflessly raised with his adoring and inhumanly patient wife of 42 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother, John D. Chianese, and his brother in-law, David L. Jenkins.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Chianese (née Caputo), his sister, Marion Jenkins (née Chianese) of Port St. Lucie, Florida, his brothers, Joseph R. Chianese of Oakland, California, and Vincent Chianese of Youngstown, Ohio, his son, Dr. James (Jennifer) Chianese, his daughters, Kimberly (Jayson) Hill, and Laurel Chianese, and his sons Dr. Daniel Chianese, Gregory (Kathleen) Chianese, Eric Chianese, Marcus Chianese and David Chianese, and his six grandchildren, for whom he lived, Katelyn Chianese, Lia Hill, Kevin Chianese, Elena Hill, Abby Chianese, and Nina Chianese. He was the Paterfamilias. He also leaves behind his dearest friends for over 50 years, Ed Baun of Youngstown, Ohio, Ron and Ronne Young of Trabuco Canyon, California, and Larry Frost of Lordstown, Ohio

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

There will be a brunch at St. Edward Parish Family in Youngstown on Wednesday, July 23 at 11:00 am for close friends and family.

Family and friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 8 PM at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.