Leonard Ghilarducci

Leonard Ghilarducci

Leonard A. Ghilarducci, 87, of Kennett, formerly of Stockton, Calif., died Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at Memphis, Tenn., of congestive heart failure with his wife, Barbara Ghilarducci and son, Eric by his side.

Born Aug. 2, 1921, in Stockton, he was in the Merchant Marines for five years and retired in the 1980's as classified advertising manager after 50 years for The Record in Stockton. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, SIRS and was very active at his church, St. Joachim's in Lockeford, Calif.

Leonard and Barbara were married for 18 years and lived in Stockton until a year ago, before moving to Kennett. Len told his son Eric recently that Kennett was "Gods country" and that the move was the best thing they could have done. Len and Barbara loved to travel.

He was the beloved husband of Barbara Ghilarducci; devoted father of step-sons Eric Walden and wife, Regina of Sacramento, Calif., and Hunter Walden and wife, Jessica, of New Port News, Va., and daughter, Ann Vierra and husband, Edward, of Stockton and son David Ghil-arducci, of Stockton; loving grandfather of Christopher, Heather, Maryann, Michelle, Dresden and Cole and his great-granddaughter, Kayla Marie Riley, who was the light of his life. Len's last wish before he passed was to see Kayla one more time, which Eric was happily able to arrange.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 23, at St. Joaquim's Catholic Church in Lockeford.

Burial with military rites was in the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.

DeYoung Memorial Chapel of Stockton was in charge of arrangements.