Leonard J. Baccaro, Sr., a cherished husband, father, grandfather and esteemed educator, passed away peacefully at home on Dec 4. Born to Mildred and Joseph Baccaro in Newark, NJ, Len's life was a testament to dedication, love, family and service. He was also a beacon of kindness and generosity to all who knew him.

Married to his high school sweetheart, Agnes Rampichini, in 1958, they raised three children in a home filled with love and active engagement in their lives including as President of the Little League Baseball in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He will also be remembered as President of ARC of Hunterdon County for many years, and as a member of the Hunterdon Italian American Heritage Club as well as the Seaside Italian American Club.

His educational career began at Barringer High School, continued on to Fairleigh Dickinson University and culminated with an MA in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University. Len's professional career was marked by his tenure as a Business Administrator/Superintendent in several NJ elementary schools over a period of 40 years. His latest position prior to retirement was at Mountainside School System where he served as Superintendent/Business Administrator.

Len's faith and family were the cornerstones of his life. He was a devout Roman Catholic, having served as an altar boy in his youth growing up in Newark, NJ. There wasn't a summer that went by that he didn't take his wife and children on an amazing adventure vacation, whether it be a cruise in the Caribbean or traveling by train from Paris to Sicily, a Country Squire station wagon road trip across the United States or a two-week visit to the '76 Montreal Olympics. He made the most of his time spent with family, and when it was just him, he loved working on his 10-acre property in Readington, tending to his fields of Christmas trees, splitting logs or spending countless hours on his riding mower – with his dog Brandy at his side.

Leonard is survived by his loving wife, Agnes, sons Leonard Jr. (Samantha), Richard (Merryl) and his daughter Andrea (Michael) and his seven grandchildren: Andrew, Valerie, Ashley, Gianna, Michael, Jessica and James. Also by his sister Geraldine Pisapia (Edward), sister-in-law Dorothy Baccaro and his many nieces and nephews. Leonard's parents and both brothers Joseph and Ronald have passed.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at St. Bernard's Church, 500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place following the mass at St. Bernard's Cemetery/Mausoleum, 551 Route 28 West, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, both in and out of education. He will be remembered as a kind man and loving husband and father.