Leo John Fanelli

LAKE PLACID, FL - Leo John Fanelli, 76, of Lake Placid formerly of Athol, passed away Sunday January 14, 2007 at Florida Hospital Lake Placid. He was born in Athol on January 30, 1930 to parents Michael and Stella (Masiello) Fanelli. Served his country for five years in the US Navy as a Corp Men with the Marines. A pilot since the age of 17 holding a private license, a Central Office Technician with the local telephone company in Athol, Ma. Mr. Fanelli received the rare award known as Theodore Vail Metal of Honor in 1993 which represents heroism, skill and judgment at the Harbor Hotel in Boston for saving a man's life, pulling the pilot from a burning plane at the Orange Airport, also receiving a Metal of Honor from the F.A.A. as well as the Massachusetts Airport Management Association. Mr. Fanelli as a member various organizations including Athol-Orange Aero Club, Athol Rod and Gun Club, Telephone Company Pioneers, the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks No 1837, the Edward H. Phillips American Legion Post No. 102 of Athol, the Roy L. Boyce V.F.W. Post No 650 of Athol; a 3rd Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Athol Council No 1182 and the St. James Catholic Church in Florida and a former member of Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol. Mr. Fanelli is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Kitty, daughters; Marie Bushey of Westminster, Querida Masters of Royalston, Dianne LeBlanc of Portland, Oregon; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Lillian Zuidema of Athol, Stella Murphy of Athol, Agnes Breton of Fitzwilliam, NH and a brother; Frank Farnello of Athol; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Monday, January 22, 2007, in Our Lady Immaculate Church 192 School St., Athol. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. Calling hours will be held Monday, January 22, 2007 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home 137 Main St., Athol. To sign the online guest book please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com. The J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home of Athol is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });