1926-2011
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Leon Anthony “Irish” Presto died peacefully at home on November 14, 2011. He was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania to Anthony and Kathleen Presto on July 11, 1926. He worked for U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania, and for thirty years at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California. Before retirement, he also worked for the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.
He loved to compete in football, and played on the Ellwood City High School football team. He ranked in the All-County Class of AAWPIAL, played on the PIAA All-State Team, and was selected All-State End in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His high school coach, Howard Gills, called him “The greatest scholastic football player of the year.”
He was being considered for a tryout for the Pittsburgh Steelers when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, which included serving in the forces in Japan.
After serving in the Army, he attended Gannon College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and also played football for their team, scoring the first touchdown in Gannon Knights’ football history. It was there that he met Catherine Vogel, who became his wife. After college, they moved to Ontario, California, where they settled down to raise their family.
He enjoyed coaching Little League in Rancho Cucamonga, with young Rollie Fingers as one of his star players.
He worked with his wife, covering national motorsports for 40 years.
Leon was an ardent football fan, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Notre Dame. He enjoyed playing golf, and visiting with his many friends while working out at the spa.
He is survived by his four children, Debby Ford and son-in-law Terry, Richard A. Presto and daughter-in-law Karen, Lee A. Barron and son-in-law Bill, and Anthony F. Presto and daughter-in-law Letty, his grandchildren Kimberly Cox and husband Drew, Gregory Ford, and Amy Barron, and two great-grandchildren, Aiden and Keegan Cox.
A viewing will be held at Draper Mortuary Chapel at 811 N. Mountain Avenue in Ontario, on Friday, November 18, from 5-8 p.m, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. The memorial funeral Mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 905 N. Campus Avenue in Upland. Interment will follow at Bellevue Mausoleum at 1240 W. G Street in Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Ontario USO at 1940 E. Moore Way in Ontario, the Salvation Army, or the American Heart Association.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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