Leonard W. DeNardis, 90, of North Haven, died peacefully at home on December 9, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband for 52 years of Gail Hansen DeNardis. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on February 13, 1923, son of the late Pauline and Vincent DeNardis. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Paul DeNardis of Seminole, Florida; son Leonard DeNardis, Jr. (Denise) of Monument, Colorado; daughter Dr. Laura DeNardis (Deborah Smith) of Washington, D.C.; granddaughters Cynthia Cassese of Seymour, Connecticut, and Marissa, Abby and Natalie DeNardis of Monument, Colorado; and great grandson Matthew Cassese of Seymour, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his daughter Karen Pollard (Russell). He is also survived by his brothers Gale, Richard (Ruth), and Robert DeNardis, and sisters Norma Cavaliere and Dorothy Palluotto.  He was predeceased by his sister Nina Onate. Len enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 31, 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II in the First Marine Aircraft Wing. He was honorably discharged as a Master Technical Sergeant on October 5, 1945. He served courageously in the VMSB 236 Dive Bomber Squadron in the Solomon Islands, including Guadalcanal, Munda, and Bougainville. He received the Pacific Theatre Ribbon, the American Theatre Ribbon, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received a personal commendation on September 27, 1943 as a member of a Vega Ventura Bomber crew, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Jack R. Cram, conducting experimental nighttime low-altitude bombing of Japanese naval bases. Len considered it an honor to serve his country during wartime as a Marine. Len retired in 1987 after 30 years as an engineer at the Southern New England Telephone Company. He was devoted to his family. Len loved working in his garden, traveling, clamming on Cape Cod, and was a master woodworker who made countless pieces of furniture for members of his family. He was a member of VFW Post 8294, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Bethesda Lutheran Church. His life was interesting and fulfilling, and he will be missed terribly by his family.

Funeral services will be conducted in the Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven on Saturday morning at 10:30. Interment with full military honors will follow in Northford Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 Saint Ronan St., New Haven, CT 06511.