Leo Nicholas Rinaldi's Obituary
Leo Nicholas Rinaldi, age 82, of Miami, FL passed away at home on Saturday, December 5, 2020. A
scholar and a professor, Leo was beloved by his students at Coral Gables High School, where he taught
French and Italian for 30 years, sponsored the French & Italian clubs, chaperoned several legendary
band trips and was the Chair of the Foreign Languages Department. Coral Gables High was also where
he met his lovely bride of 56 years, a shy young lady named Patricia Kilgard who was a fellow Spanish
teacher. After their marriage, they welcomed their first-born daughter, Rosemarie Lynne (not Rose
Mary, thank you very much), followed by middle child Elaine Louise, then their baby, Steven Leo.
Leo made sure to give his family all the comforts and benefits of a solidly loving middle-class life, which
included summer car trips to North Carolina, up the East Coast and out west, then eventually multiple
trips to Europe, Australia, and Asia and many cruises with Pat (while the kids stayed home with
grandparents). Dad loved to travel, and the travel bug bit him early, when he received multiple
scholarships to study in Colombia and Chile, France and a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the
Universita’ per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy. Dad loved people, and wherever he went, was the life of the
party. He had great stories from his travels and from his childhood in Torrington, CT, and was an avid
reader on all subjects, so he always had plenty to talk about.
Later in life, Leo had many health scares and near-brushes with death. However, with his incredible
spirit, faith in God and will to live, he always came home. We are forever grateful for the power of
modern medicine, and especially to the people at Fresenius Kidney Care, Kendall Dialysis Center, who
gave Leo another 2 years with his family and friends.
Leo is survived by his wife Patricia, daughters Rosemarie and Elaine, and son Steven. Viewing/visitation
will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 th from 2-6 PM at Van Orsdel Kendall, 11220 N. Kendall Drive, Miami,
33176; funeral mass will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church on December 10 th at 11:00 AM, 5400
SW 102 Ave, Miami, 33165. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Orchestra Miami, PO Box 7598,
Miami, FL 33255 or www.orchestramiami.org.
What’s your fondest memory of Leo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leo?
Share a story where Leo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leo you’ll never forget.
How did Leo make you smile?
