Obituary of Leon J. “Lee” Vuoncino

Leon J. Vuoncino, age 84, died on Monday, July, 26, 2004 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was born in Clifton and had lived in Plainfield since 1953. Mr. Vuoncino received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and Masters Degree in History from Rutgerss University in New Brunswick. He had been employed by the NJ Dept. of Labor and Industry for over 30 years before retiring in 1985. Mr. Vuoncino was a talented artist, who, with no formal training, mastered many different art disciplines. One of his greatest joys was to give paintings and sketches to each of his four grandchildren on their birthdays. He also enjoyed studying and investing in the stock market. He served in WW II as a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Force in the 379th Bomber Group and recalled many exploits with his plane The London Avenger. He also served at the same time with four of his brothers; Louis, who was killed in the war, Joseph, Reuben and Richard, all who have predeceased him. He is also predeceased by an infant brother Louis. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor A. Vuoncino, two daughters, Lisa Voncino Cooper and her husband Eliot of Golden, CO and Diane Lange and her husband Richard of Bridgewater; his sister, Doris Meyer; his four loving grandchildren, Amanda and Jacyln Lange and David and Andrew Cooper. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 30th at 9:00 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung followed by a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Bernards R.C. in Bridgewater. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 29th from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations may be made in his memory to: Red Cloud Indian School 100 Mission Drive Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 57770-2100.