Nunzio Leonard Tritico

Leonard Tritico was born November 21, 1931 in Houston, TX. Growing up in the Heights attending Reagan High School, Leonard found his first love music, and was graced with a gift for entertainment and voice from God. His beautiful voice filled music halls and venues with Big Band Music for over forty years.

In his last year in high school, Leonard wrote the original business plan for his friends Milton and Harold Wiesenthal to help open their new store, Harold’s in the Height’s. Leonard was the first employee at the new store on 19th street.

Leonard enrolled in the University of Houston to study Radio, Television and Film in 1951. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War and later in 1951 Leonard enlisted in the United States Air Force. Stationed in Sherman/Denison, TX, he formed a trio that performed in officers’ clubs all over north Texas and Oklahoma. Leonard credited the trio with the Air Force never shipping him out to Korea. It was in Denison where he met the love of his life, Jo Ann.

Returning to Houston, newly married, he re-enrolled at the University of Houston to complete his studies. While there, he and his friends created “Frontier Fiesta,” a weeklong music and comedy review that still goes on today. Back in the late 1950’s, Look Magazine wrote up the Frontier Fiesta up as the greatest college week in America.

After college, in 1961, Leonard went to work for KTRK Channel 13 in the sales department. Leonard was the top media salesman in the Houston Market 17 years in a row until his departure in 1979 when he left to start Tritico Real Estate.

The one overriding value in Leonard’s life that meant more to him than anything else; his wife and kids. While singing and performing was a lifelong dream, it was a dream never fully realized because he refused to leave his family to go out on the road.

Leonard was a wonderful husband and father, guiding light, and passionate protector of his children. He was actively engaged in all of his children’s activities throughout their upbringing and always put his kids before his personal interests.

Leonard was a passionate and faithful man who always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. In his later years, after his hearing loss caused him to stop singing, he started writing songs. Leonard’s favorite was his ode to his country, “My America”.

Married 66 years, Leonard and Jo Ann had four kids; Philip Anthony Tritico, wife Helenanne Tritico, Christopher Leonard Tritico, Sr., wife Deborah Tritico, Timothy Alan Tritico, Amy Ann Pope, husband Mark Pope.

Blessed with 13 Grandchildren Aubrey Honer, husband Brad Honer, Maria Tritico (1988 – 2020), Melissa Tritico, Jay Breaux, Christopher Leonard Tritico, II, Madison Williamson, husband Brennan Williamson, Wesley Breaux, Hudson Tritico, Grace Tritico, Anna Pope, Anthony Tritico, Tiffany Tritico, Bradley Pope, and four beautiful great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Thursday, February 9, 2023 starting at 9:00 AM. Internment at Forest Park Westheimer will follow with a committal service starting at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Maria Tritico Project, 1523 Yale St. Houston, TX 77008.