Richard Lawrence Leone

Richard Lawrence (Lorenzo) Leone, 88, died Saturday, September 10, 2022. Born November 16, 1933 in NY City to Dominick and Angelina Carbone Leone. Richard had lived in Charlotte, NC for the last 53 years. The youngest child of Italian immigrants, a professionally trained tap and ballet dancer, singer, and actor, Richard grew up in NYC. By his early teens he had been in a variety of Broadway shows with the likes of Jackie Gleason and Rex Harrison. Richard met his wife Betty Pressley, a Charlottean who had moved to NYC with the dreams of becoming an actress. The two met while performing (theatre) at local nursing homes; they shared passion for the arts and a commitment of ministering to others in their community. In 1965, they had their first child Joseph followed by Therese in 67 and Stephen in 69. With their youngest then 6 weeks old, Richard and Betty moved South to Charlotte be near Betty’s parents. Within a year, they became a foster home through Catholic Social Services and would ultimately become family to more than 40 babies within a 13-year period.

Richard’s first grandchild, Jessica, coined him “Baka” over grandpa, and the name stuck for the duration. Richard was committed to family and devoted to the Blessed Virgin. During his lifetime, he delivered meals on wheels, tutored under-served children, and did monthly shows at The Little Flower nursing home. He was a choir member at Our Lady of Assumption for over 25 years. Frank Sinatra was his all-time favorite singer, and Peter Sellers made him laugh with every iteration of the Pink Panther.

Richard’s two sons Stephen and Joseph preceded him in death. Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Pressley Leone, his daughter Therese Leone Bartholomew and son-in-law Douglas Bartholomew, Daughter-in-Law Cecilia Flores Leone, eight grandchildren: Jessica Leone Dixon, Tamara Flores Bradley, Trea Payne, Matthew Leone, Victoria Bartholomew, Jacob Bartholomew, Caleb Bartholomew, and Gabrielle Bartholomew, seven great grandsons: Braedon, Maddex, Bowan, Laeton, Declan, Oliver, and River and great granddaughter, Haven. Baka adored every moment he shared with each of them playing chess, rummy or stoop ball as well as jumping waves and making coins disappear into his elbow. In addition, “Uncle Richie” (always the “cool” Uncle as the youngest of his siblings) is survived by nieces and nephews across the country.

At 1:00 pm on Friday, September 23, 2022, at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church on 4207 Shamrock Drive in Charlotte there will be a Rosary lead by Deacon Pete Duca followed by visitation with Words of Remembrance by Richard’s daughter Therese. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 2:00 pm with Father Scarcella celebrant. Interment will follow immediately thereafter at Sharon Memorial Park.

The family has requested memorials be made to: Parkinson Association of the Carolinas

2101 Sardis Road N. Suite 102

Charlotte, NC 28227

Link for online donations: https://www.parkinsonassociation.org/parkinsons-association-donation/

Or

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte

Ways to Give - Diocese of Charlotte (charlottediocese.org)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Lawrence Leone, please visit our floral store.