Leonard J. Santopadre

We are saddened to announce the passing of Leonard J. Santopadre (79) of Highland Village, TX, on May 1, 2023.

Born in Providence, Len grew up in Cranston, and spent his early years in the New England area. He is a proud graduate of Brown University where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering and was coxswain for the school’s crew team.  He served in the Army National Guard and retired at the rank of Captain.  His job with Texas Instruments moved him across the United States and eventually led to Texas, where he’s lived for the past 34 years.  His favorite hobbies included reading, fixing things, documenting family events through pictures and videos, watching anything on The History Channel, tending his flowerpots, aerobic exercising, and collecting things that were yellow.

Len is survived by his devoted partner Michele Steigleder, his mother Marie Santopadre, his daughter Carren Smrstik and her husband John, and four grandchildren, Joseph, Elizabeth, Anne, and James.  Len is also survived by his sister Marie Costa and her husband Peter, and his nieces and nephew, Michael, Julie, and Tracy Teixeira.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Monday July 17, 2023, from 10:00- 11:00 am at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston.  Followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 am.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: Your local PBS station (watching the PBS News Hour every day was Len’s daily ritual), or to Dementia Friendly Denton County, a non-profit organization.  Checks can be sent to DFDC, PO Box 2611, 101 East McKinney Street, Denton, TX, 76201.