Leo J Selvey

Our beloved father, Leo J. Selvey, 92, of Cape Coral died September 17, 2018 at the Hope Hospice of Cape Coral. Leo was born August 16, 1926 in Worthington, Ohio to Leo and Ann Marie Selvey. When World War II broke out Leo so much wanted to help defend his country – the United States of America, that he attempted to join the Navy; however, he was turned down they said because of a physical problem. Undeterred, Leo tried the Army with no better luck but Leo would not be prevented in his quest to take part in the war effort, so he joined the American Merchant Marines as a cadet midshipman on April 14th 1944. Leo was assigned to a ship carrying ammunition meant for the American ground troops in the Pacific war zone.
He experienced the terror of the dive-bombers and other dangerous missions. He was Honorably Discharged on August 15th, 1945. After the war, Leo studied and graduated from Ohio State University and while at the university he met and ultimately married his most beautiful and wonderful wife and our mother Roseanne (Rosie) in October 9, 1948. Leo and Rosie then moved to California joining a former shipmate and friend Cal Berry in business. Seven year later Leo and Rosie with 3 children moved to Bogota, Colombia; There, Leo and Cal his best friend and partner started and successfully operated a retail operation with retail outlets throughout the country. Leo and Rosie had 2 more children born in Bogota, Colombia and after 10 great years there, moved to Tallahassee, Florida. In Tallahassee, Leo and Cal his business partner, along with their children ran a successful motel operation. Thereafter, Leo our beloved father and mother built their “dream” home here in Cape Coral, Florida and lived here for the last 29 years. Dad is survived by three sons, C. Jeff (Ann) Selvey of Anchorage, AK, Sandy (Connie) Selvey of Billings, MT, and Tim (Anne) Selvey of Tallahassee, FL; two daughters; Leanda (Pete) VanLeeuwen of Ft. Myers, FL and Rosita (Jeff) Kohler of Lincoln, PA, seven grandchildren, Calvin (Jen) Selvey, Katierose (Marshall) Cox, Emily (Mark) Williams, Brian VanLeeuwen, Kristin (Alan) Mulroney, Lori Kohler and Alex Rae Selvey and nine great grandchildren. Dad was truly an adventurer who traveled the world with our beautiful mother (Rosie); he worked hard all of his life to provide us with opportunities; and most importantly, Dad was a loving and caring father and friend. Leo’s surviving sons, daughters and grandchildren will forever respect and love him. Dad, we all will miss you so much. Visitation at Fuller Metz Cremation & Funeral Services is from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Friday September 21, 2018 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Cape Coral. Internment will take place at 1:30 PM Monday September 24, 2018 at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice. The family appreciates all that Hope Hospice did for Leo.
Arrangements by the Fuller Metz Cremation & Funeral Services.

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