Leoncio Flores-Velazco, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 13, 2024. He was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, on April 8, 1935, to Jesus Flores and Maria Velazco. Leoncio was predeceased by his beloved brothers Umberto and Gaston, his sister Minerva and his son Kenneth. He is survived by his loving wife, Alicia, his sister Noemi de la Rosa, his brother Rolando, and his daughter Rosanna Llamas. He will always be remembered as a devoted family man, who loved spending time with all his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He arrived in Greenwich, CT, in 1959, with the dream of working in Hartford, which was known as the Insurance Capitol of the World. To pursue his dream, he enrolled at Bridgeport University, majoring in Economics. While studying at Bridgeport University, Leoncio took a part time job with a local caterer called Duvall Caterers. They specialized in weddings and dinner parties for large events. Eventually, Leoncio bought the catering company. He was a terrific chef with a focus on French and American cuisine. He also had a passion for hosting the events and enjoyed serving his guests. Duvall’s was an important part of the Greenwich community for more than 20 years.
For the next 20 years, Leoncio worked for the town of Greenwich at Riverside School as a custodian. He enjoyed his work very much. His co-workers often shouted to him, “Leoncio, how are you?” He raised his arm, smiled and said “I LOVE my job; they pay me to do exercises!”
A few words from the Riverside School Staff: “Leoncio was a well-loved and respected custodian at Riverside School. He was adored by everyone who knew him. He always started each day with a smile, greeting staff and students by name, which in turn spread joy to everyone’s day.
There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for a teacher or student who asked. Leoncio even helped look after a student’s bearded dragon lizard when they could no longer care for it. He was an animal lover and friend to all. He was kind to the environment and didn’t want to waste anything, always trying to repurpose or creatively reuse something. In addition to the many ways he made our school brighter and shinier, he was also a talented cook and treated the staff to fancy BBQ feasts at end-of-the-year parties. His presence was missed once he retired in 2019. Leoncio will forever be part of our hearts and classrooms, here at Riverside School.”
Leoncio was a long-time member of Acacia Lodge #85, where he rose in rank and become a Master Mason. He was a voracious reader, who was a faithful and frequent patron of the Byram Shubert Library. He enjoyed life to the fullest and tried to spread that enthusiasm to everyone else. We will always remember his smile, with a mustache that resembled Dali’s.
To honor his extraordinary life, family and friends gathered at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich CT, 06830 on March 18 from 4:00pm to 8:00 pm.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on March 19 at 10:00 am, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 178 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Byram Shubert Library, 21 Mead Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830