Eligio “Leo” Latorre
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Eligio “Leo” Latorre at age 77. Leo was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico to the late Cecilio Latorre and Teresa Latorre Cardona. He was the 8th of 10 children and moved to Brooklyn, NY at the age of 11, where he was raised by his oldest sister Lydia Muniz and her husband Cruz.
Leo worked for the same company throughout his career. His work ethic and integrity was applied to his work as well as to the NY Mets, no matter their record on any given year. He shared his love of baseball with his children and grandchildren. At dominoes he was at his best with a keen intellect and a gentle smile. He would unexpectedly play two tiles consecutively and deliver the victory for his partner, who most often was his lovely wife Ana.
Leo married the love of his life Ana Castro. Leo and Ana raised four children – Marcus (Helen), Theresa (Joseph) Tegtmeier, Eileen (Albert) Contrucci and Joseph (Erika). Their life together began in Brooklyn, NY and they lived for many years on Staten Island, NY before retiring to Cape Coral, FL in 2013. He has 12 grandchildren – Matthew, Brendan, Liam, Connor, Maria, Joseph, Ana, Julia, Anthony, Leo, Gianna, and Noah – who love him dearly. Leo is predeceased by his parents, siblings Lydia, Carmen, Angel, Pablo, Turina, Hector, Aida, and Anibal. He is survived by his sister Teresa.
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Leo, to those who knew him well, was a man of God. He was a great mentor and role model for his children, grandchildren, and extended family. He was a prayerful and humble man. The sacraments, the rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration were staples in his life. His strength and integrity were shared with his family and community, not by words and preaching, but by steadfast personal action. In his way, humbly and quietly, he has helped many without being seen or wanting to be seen. Despite receiving more than a fair share of personal life challenges he remained being a gentle and caring person.
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word, always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” St. Therese of Lisieux
Leo was a disciplined man and made sure everything was in order before his time came. All of his children had grown, settled into careers, and established homes. He lovingly made sure that his home, which he often called the Ponderosa, and all his affairs were in order so he knew his wife Ana would be okay.
He did not preach these things to us. He modeled them over a life time. We will all miss him dearly.
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Services will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 2-6 pm at Fuller Metz Funeral Parlor, 3740 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904. There will be a Mass on Monday, October 15, 2018 12:00pm at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 2628 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904 followed by his burial at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
St Vincent De Paul St Andrew Conference
2628 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904
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