Alfred Leonardi Obituary

WINDHAM

Alfred John Leonardi passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. Al was an innovative thinker in his chosen career of teaching and in his passion, game designing. His creativity was unfettered and ever present.

As a teacher, he didn't just teach history, he brought it to life. Students became part of the lesson. They were gladiators at the coliseum or running a country with its own resources and currency. Al's goal was to reach every student and help them understand.

Every aspect of Al's life reflected his true passion of game designing. As a father, he didn't just fly paper airplanes, he made a game out of landing them on the ironing board. His home was always abuzz with games.

In 1981 Al was recognized by the gaming industry for developing Ace of Aces, a simultaneous dog fight played out in WWI aircraft in the sky. It was the first of many games and accolades using that system.

Al's game, simply called The Roman Game, was a project that started with a map of Italy and a bunch of pennies. Every member of his family and many of his friends has played the Roman Game, in one incarnation or another. All helped to bring this project to fruition.

Al was born the only child of Alfred and Frances Leonardi Sr. on December 08, 1938, and grew up primarily on Cape Cod. He married the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, Lynda Moon Leonardi on December 01, 1962 and they moved to Connecticut where they started a family. First came Deborah and Toni. Followed by Mary and Jill.

Al worked at Pratt and Whitney while attending ECSU where he achieved his Master's degree in Education. Al taught for the Windham public school system at Kramer Middle School for many years. He made lifelong friends of teachers and students alike. Al served his country in the Army Reserves and was a faithful member of St. Paul's Church in Windham Center.

Al is survived by his cat, Smiley. Daughter, Deborah Garafano and husband, Scott, grandchildren, Wayne Badger and Jessica Watson and great- grandchildren, Emma and Chloe. Daughter, Toni Leonardi, granddaughter, Heather Davidson and great- grandchildren, Onyx, Ingrid and Freya. Granddaughter, Chrystal Robinson and great- grandchildren, Bridget, Brynleigh, Aubrey, Milo, and Finnan. Daughter, Mary Leonardi, grandson, Max Brennan and granddaughter, Grace Leonardi and great- grandchildren, Melody and Willow. Daughter, Jill Leonardi and grandsons, Duncan Carlson and Malcolm Carlson.

Dear friends Pieter and Lou Roos Dennis Greci and all his gaming family. The family would like to welcome family and friends to the Calling Hours that will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT. A Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place on the same date at 1:00 p.m. at Center Cemetery, RT 87, Columbia, CT.

For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

Alfred John Leonardi