BEACON FALLS — Leonard F. D’Amico, 87, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2020, at the Lutheran Home of Southbury. He was the husband of Harriet (Campbell) D’Amico.
Mr. D’Amico was born March 4, 1933, in Waterbury, the son of the late Joseph and L. Marie (Iorio) D’Amico. He was raised and educated in Waterbury and after graduation from Crosby High School, he served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, aboard the U.S.S. Wright (CVL-49), Aircraft Carrier. Upon his honorable discharge, Mr. D’Amico served the city of Waterbury as a police officer for seven years and went on to work as a sales representative for International Harvester, Truck Division, for 14 years then going on to work for Checkmark Office Supply.
He has been a longtime Beacon Falls resident, moving to town in 1962. He was an active member of the Beacon Falls community, where he joined the Republican Town Committee in 1965 and served on the Board of Education from 1963 to 1969 and as chairman from 1967 through 1969. He also served on the Advisory Board of Mattatuck Community College in 1969.
He was a member of the Beacon Falls Congregational Church, where he served on the Prudential Committee, was a past-chairman of the Endowment Fund and also served as an usher.
In 1973, Mr. D’Amico was elected to the Board of Selectmen, and in 1977 he was elected as first selectman (mayor) for the town. In 1985, he was honored by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency with its Environmental Merit Award and the Connecticut Society of Architects Award for his role on environmental issues. He served the community of Beacon Falls until November of 1995, when he was appointed by Gov. John Rowland to the Office of Policy and Management as under secretary of the Policy Development and Planning Division. He retired in 2000. He is a member of the Schaffer-Fisher American Legion Post No. 12 and is an honorary member of Beacon Hose Co. No. 1.
He was active in many Masonic groups. He was a member and past master of Euclid Lodge No. 135, A.F. & A.M. in Waterbury, serving as worshipful master of the Lodge in 1969. He served the Grand Lodge of Connecticut as most worshipful grand master of Connecticut from 2000 to 2001. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Waterbury, and Lafayette Consistory 32nd Degree; Valley of Bridgeport. He was coroneted a sovereign grand inspector general-33rd degree in 1987, as an honorary member of the Supreme Council A.A.S.R.–Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, which is the highest honor in Masonry. He was affiliated with the York Rite Bodies, with membership in Eureka Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and served the chapter as most excellent high priest in 1973.
He was Knighted in Clark Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar, in 1968, and served as eminent commander for two consecutive terms from 1974 to 1976. After which he served as right eminent grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut from 1982 to 1983. For his outstanding contribution to Freemasonry in this state, and his continuing service to the fraternity, he was presented the “Pierpont Edwards Medal” in Bronze in 1976. He was a knight companion in St. Andrew’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, later serving as puissant sovereign in 1985. He has served on the Board of Managers of the Masonic Charity Foundation from 1976 to 1989. He was granted emeritus status on July 15, 1989.
Besides his wife, “Re,” of 60 years, Mr. D’Amico is survived by his children, Debra Hogestyn (Bart) of Oxford, David D’Amico (Noralie) of Beacon Falls, Jeffrey D’Amico (Michele) of Beacon Falls; his brother, John J. D’Amico (Dolores) of Farmington; his sister-in-law, Martha Possner of Wellfleet, Mass.; his grandchildren, Tyler, Gage (Kamilia), Brandi Hogestyn and John D’Amico; his great-grandson, Levi Hogestyn.
A memorial service with military honors will be announced at a later date. Mr. D’Amico’s graveside service will be streamed live via the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home’s Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, from Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck. Prior to graveside services, a funeral procession to honor Mr. D’Amico will proceed through Beacon Falls at approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beacon Falls Congregational Church, 69 Wolfe Ave., Beacon Falls, CT 06403, or to the Grand Lodge Permanent Endowment Fund, 69 Masonic Ave., Wallingford, CT 06492.
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