Leonard C. Pursiano

Leonard Carl Pursiano, 101, of Ridgewood passed away on April 20, 2024.

Beloved husband of fifty three years to the late Yolanda Pursiano. Devoted father to daughters Linda Ferraro (husband Michael) of Ridgewood, NJ, Diane Garbaccio (husband Paul) of River Vale, NJ and Karen Parry (husband Robert) of East Brunswick, NJ. and to son Carl Pursiano (wife Jeanne) of Mahwah, NJ. Loving grandfather of Alyssa Crowder, Noelle Garbaccio, Gina Mormino, Gregory Parry, John (Jack) Pursiano and Jillian Pursiano. Great-grandfather to Cadence and Oliver Mormino and to Clara and Harlow Crowder. Pre-deceased by cherished sister Marie Petillo, sister-in-laws Jenny Maduri and Anne Pilotti, and brother in laws Vincent Petillo, William, Alfred and Vincent Pilotti. Leonard will also be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews.

Leonard was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up during the Great Depression era. He received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (BEE) degree from the College of the City of New York and was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II. He spent a year in training at Bliss Electrical School and Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC. Upon completion, he received his rating as Electronic Technician's Mate, Second Class, and was responsible for radio and radar maintenance and repair. Assigned to 7th Amphibious Fleet on LSM 133, the ship carried troops, equipment, ammunition and supplies, operating in the Asiatic / Pacific Theater. Leonard participated in the liberation of the Philippines and two invasions of Borneo on June 10 and 18, 1945. These were in support of the Australian invasion of Borneo with a 700 ship task force and 30,000 troops. Leonard received the Asiatic Pacific Medal with a Bronze Star, the American Theater Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Victory Medal.

After his release from active duty on May 20, 1946, Leonard received his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering and later, he earned his Professional Engineer (PE) license in the states of New Jersey and New York. He was a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Leonard was employed by Bendix Corporation (now Allied Signal) in Teterboro, NJ from 1949 to 1995. He started as a Magnetics Transformer Design Engineer and rose to the rank of Chief Magnetics Design Engineer. In this capacity he headed the Magnetics Design Group, a group of 10 Electrical Engineers engaged in the design and development of magnetic devices and components for Space and Avionics applications, including various Apollo space missions, the first Space Shuttle flight, the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the International Space Station.

Leonard and his dearly departed wife Yolanda decided to settle in Ridgewood in 1961 to raise their family.

His favorite pastimes included playing bridge, golf, and bowling with the Ridgewood Hobbyists, friends and neighbors. Well into his late 90’s, he also volunteered at the Bergen County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to help citizens understand Medicare, Medicaid and other public benefits. Leonard was a parishioner of Mt. Carmel Church (Ridgewood) and also attended mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (Washington Township).

Visiting Thursday 4-8 PM at the Feeney Funeral Home, Ridgewood. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church, Ridgewood. Interment at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation in Leonard’s memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.