Leno Gillo, age 89, of Alverda, PA, passed away peacefully at Indiana Regional Medical Center on Monday, March 11, 2019.
Son of the late Maurice and Marie (Molar) Gillo, he was born June 8, 1929 in Alverda, PA. Leno was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Heilwood and was a 1948 graduate of the Pine Township High School. He is a 64 year member of the Heilwood American Legion Post 936, and was their oldest member.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army in Japan and later Korea for a total of four years. After returning from the military, he worked his entire life as a butcher in his parent’s grocery store known as Gillo’s Market. He and his brother George became partners in Gillo Brother’s Market in Alverda and worked alongside with their sister Alma. Presently, Michael Sr., and Joe Sr., carry on the daily operations of the market that has been in business for 98 years. Until his death, Leno had a very sharp mind and always valued his customers and their friendships.
Throughout his life Leno enjoyed going to the stock car races with his good friends, the Dillon brothers and enjoyed drag races at National Trail’s in Ohio and Gainesville Florida. He took pride in his Corvette and antique Nash cars. Leno was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan and he never missed watching a Pirate or Steeler game on the television.
He is survived by his sister-in-law Helen (late George) Gillo, of Clymer; his nephews whom he worked with as partners of Gillo Brothers Market, Mike (Margie) Gillo, Sr., and Joe Gillo, Sr. of Clymer; nieces and nephews, George (Melissa) Gillo of Washington, PA, Kathy Gillo Hawk of Clymer, Janet (Dr. Thomas) Stein of Pittsburgh, Rose (Rick) Detter, of York, Andrew (Jehanne) Gillo of Maryland, John Domingo, Jr of Alverda and their families.
In addition to his parents, Leno was preceded in death by his sisters, Amelia Domingo, Della Esgro, Alma Gillo; brothers, Aldo and George Gillo Sr.; nephews, Maurice, James, and Aldo Gillo; and niece, Anna Domingo Trexler.
A special thank you to Ruby Karlinsky for being such an amazing, caring, and compassionate caregiver to Leno for many years. She made Leno’s life much easier so he could live the last few years of his life at home. Ruby’s husband Cork was very instrumental in caring for Leno. Their dedication to Leno is greatly appreciated.
Friends will be received on Friday, March 15, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the McCabe~Roof Funeral Home, 565 Franklin St., Clymer, with military honors at 7 p.m. conducted by the Clymer American Legion Post 222. All other services and interment will be private at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Indiana.
