Leonard Dionisio

Leonard Dionisio was born in Vineland, Colorado but grew up in Pueblo. The son of Tony and Anna Dionisio, he loved to sing from a young age. As a freshman at Central High School he decided to join the choir. On the very first day he spotted the pretty junior and he told his buddy "I'm going to marry that girl one day". Thus began the romance with the love of his life, Elizabeth (Beth) Hribernick. When he graduated high school he enlisted in the Air Force and upon completing boot camp Len and Beth were married. He left to serve in the Korean War. Upon returning from overseas he enrolled in college and they started their family. Leonard accepted a high school teaching position and the young family moved to Fontana, California. He also taught night school in order to take summers off for the famous cross-country family trips to visit relatives and see America. He was well known and admired for starting up the work-study program and was invited to Pasadena City College where he introduced their business internship program. He enjoyed his career as professor and administrator until he retired. He and Beth moved to Paradise, CA to spend more time with three of their granddaughters. Together they loved to travel the world, go rock hounding, sing in their church choirs, read, and grow their garden. They lived in Dayton, Nevada and Auburn, CA before coming back to Chico where Len became Beth's caregiver and found a new appreciation for cooking. Leonard is survived by his wife Beth, brother Joe (Joni), daughter Diane (Ray) Wood, three sons Frank (Lorine), Jim (Renee), and David, and seven grandchildren; Rachel, Laura, Marylisa, Danny, Deanna, Tony, and Joey, as well as many siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. For services, visitation, rosary, and funeral Mass refer to BrusieFH.com In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America at The Alzheimer's Foundation of America - Donate Today