Floro "Floyd" Oswaldo Leporino Sr.

Floyd was born to Emilo and Carmela Leporino in 1932 in Italy. Wanting better opportunity for his family, Floyd’s father came to work in America, but was trapped by war for years. After the war he began to call for his family one by one to America. Floyd was 16 when he arrived, with $50.00 in his pocket and not able to speak a word of English. Eventually his entire family settled here except his sister Angela who remained in Italy and the family was together with his younger brother Frank, born in America. Floyd was so excited to pursue the American dream that He quickly learned the English language and went to work to learn numerous trades. Floyd was so proud to become an American citizen and joined the Army to serve his new found county.

After the Army Floyd returned to NJ and started his career in barbering. He met his late loving wife Anna and had two children, Floyd Jr. and Vincent. Floyd’s dream was to open his own barbershop and he worked hard, saved money and opened up his own shop in the years to come. Floyd’s number one priority was always to work hard to provide for his family and be a good family man. He tragically lost his wife Anna at age 37 and became a single Dad and continued with his priorities.

Floyd’s met his second love Judith and they were married in 1978 and became the loving father to Renee, Judith’s daughter. Shortly after they met, Judith and Floyd purchased a luncheonette next to Floyds Barber shop and they began their new venture and called it Floyd and Sons. It quickly became the towns place to stop and have a morning cup of coffee, read the newspaper or get an amazing home made meal. Floyd and Judith loved serving others and met so many new wonderful friends along the way. After many years hard work they sold the luncheonette and Floyd went back to his love of barbering and opened a new barbershop called “Floyds” in Winfield NJ. Floyd continued to love serving his customers and was known once again as the best barber around! Floyd loved the fulfillment of hard work that he decided to drive a school bus in the early morning before going to open the barber shop. Him and Judith also purchased a large multi family home in Rahway, NJ called “Esterbrook” and made it a beautiful place for their tenants to live for many years.

In 1991 Floyd’s decided to finally retire from the barber shop. He always had a desire to explore the west coast as the terrain was similar to his home country, Italy. Floyd’s and Judith relocated to Tucson, Arizona to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. Floyd fell in love with the desert, the beautiful mountains, the warm days and easier life style. They made many visits to California and loved spending time at the ocean. Floyds mother made frequent visits to Tucson through the years and Floyd loved spending time with his her. But shortly after Floyd still felt the need to go to work. He quickly found Johnny Gibson’s Famous barber shop in downtown Tucson and Johnny hired him on the spot. Floyd quickly developed a great following and gained many new meaningful friendships and was so happy going to work. Again, every one loved “Floyd the Barber” for his kind and gently spirit and open ear while they sat in his chair and got the best hair cut around.

After 20 wonderful years in Tucson and with again idea of retirement, Floyd and his wife Judith decided to move closer to NJ and moved to Cary, North Carolina to spend their later years. Floyd and Judith fell in love with their new retirement community called Carolina Preserve where they met some of the nicest neighbors around, Floyd would say. Well once again, Floyd loved to go to work and decide to work part time as a barber close to his home. At 83 after a fall which let to a fractured hip, he finally decided to really give up his life time work and retire.

Floyd’s faith was always an important part of who he was, but in the last 10 years Floyd spent every morning in his den reading his Bible and numerous books about Gods love, grace and forgiveness and never wanted to miss this time. He loved his entire family unconditionally with all his heart and soul and loved to spend time with them. He especially enjoyed his visits with his late brother Tony and younger brother Frankie, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Floyd also became a bit tech savvy in the last years and loved his iPhone. He loved to FaceTime with his brothers, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who would call each and every week. He loved making pizzas and sharing it with family and friends which he learned from his brother Tony’s Pizzeria. He loved watching old movies, reading novels and found incredible joy in cutting family members hair up to a month before his passing.

Floyd lived his life as a very graceful and dignified man and was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and Uncle. Many would say they just don’t make men like that any more. Floyd was kind and gentle and was always willing to help anyone he met. He was our rock and everyone knew you could always count on Floyd. His grandson Ray always said, Grandpa is the most honest and humble man I know. He will be greatly missed and life will not be the same with out him.

Floyd always said, “I’m going home, I’ve done my time after visiting. Well, he is at home now, his eternal home with Jesus and his precious family that has gone before him. We know that Jesus welcomed him in to heaven with open arms and he was told, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. May he rest in peace and until we meet again.

He is survived by his loving wife Judith, son Floyd Jr. and daughter-in-law Robin, son Vincent and daughter-in-law Maryann, daughter Renee and son-in-law Ray, brother Frank, 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and so so many family friends that he always loved with all his heart!

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to:

Transitions Life Care

250 Hospice Circle

Raleigh, NC 27607

Or go to the website to donate at

transitionslifecare.org/donate/