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Leone family start foundation to support local youth

Date: 4/14/2009

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD The Leone family plans on serving up something more than their well-known food. This year the family has come together to create the Leone Memorial Foundation.

Each year the family hopes to designate a grant to an organization, association or person(s) in need in relation to athletics and/or a program that encourages youth to live a healthy, active lifestyle. This year that mission will be realized through the first Leone's Memorial Golf Tournament on June 1.

The Leone family is known in the community primarily through their family-owned restaurant, Cafe Leone Bar & Grill, which was established in 1988 by Beverly Leone and three of her sons -- John, Michael and Joseph. Ronald Leone Sr. contributed to the initial investment, along with his wife Maryjane. However, Beverly, along with her three sons, owned and operated the restaurant.

After Beverly passed away in 2000, her family discussed starting a foundation in her honor, but the idea never got off the ground. After her son Michael passed away suddenly last year due to dilated cardiomyopathy (a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged, and cannot pump blood efficiently), the family was determined to create something in honor of both Michael and Beverly.

"Michael and his mom in particular loved baseball more than anything in the world, and also children," his wife Terri told Reminder Publications. "[We said] let's focus on that because that is their love and passion, and they were both firm believers in living a good, healthy, active lifestyle ... We are starting a family foundation because we think that it's a way to keep giving year after year to Sixteen Acres and the Greater Springfield area."

This year's recipient will be the St. Catherine of Siena Athletic Association. Their open-to-all athletic program, which currently oversees 23 baseball and soccer teams, is fully funded by sport fees and fundraisers. It costs the association approximately $11,000 to maintain its fields per year.

Terri said scholarship funds would help maintain the fields and offset program costs.

The family hopes people will sign on to the tournament and help raise money for a good cause.

"We want to help Springfield kids stay active in sports," Terri said, noting that Springfield has a special place in their hearts because they grew up in the city.

The tournament will take place at Westover Golf Course, 198 South St. in Granby. Tee times are at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost per person is $125 and includes golf, range, cart, lunch, dinner and tee gift. Dinner will follow at the Springfield Elks Lodge #61 at 440 Tiffany St. in Springfield at 7 p.m. For those wishing just to attend dinner at the lodge, tickets can be purchased for $50.

The Leones are also still seeking corporate sponsors, raffle prizes, golfers and participants. All proceeds will benefit the foundation.

Beverly's surviving children include Ronnie Leone, Darlene Blais, Debra Ainsworth, John Leone and Joseph Leone. Michael left behind three children, Danielle, Michael and Adam.

Terri added that Michael always felt that his early involvement in sports and coaching mentors greatly contributed to his success.

"The word sportsmanship is important. It was part of his creed," she added.

For more information on the Leone's Memorial Golf Tournament call 783-4363 or stop by the restaurant on 320 Cooley St. and speak with any bartender.