Leo A. Breda

Leo A. Breda, age 91, of Mahwah and a former long-time resident of Wayne, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021.

The second-born of Louis and Mary (Mancin) Breda’s four children, Leo was born in Clifton and raised in the family home on 29 East Clifton Ave. Growing up, Leo loved to participate in all kinds of sports, but, when he entered high school, his mother preferred that he didn’t go out for any teams, so Leo chose the next best thing – writing the sports column for the Clifton High School newspaper. When he graduated, he also enjoyed the distinction of being named best dancer in his class.

Following graduation, Leo joined the U.S. Air Force National Guard where he proudly served stateside in the 101st Aircraft Control Squadron during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from service in 1952, he returned to his hometown of Clifton. Not long after, Leo attended a church dance where his smooth dancing skills caught the attention of a young lady named Tillie LoBiondo.  A loving relationship blossomed. They married September 26, 1955 followed by a road trip honeymoon to Florida. They were blessed with 61 years of marriage until Tillie’s passing on December 21, 2014. When asked to use words to describe their parent’s relationship with one another, Linda and Jeffrey said, “It was a true romance!” Leo and Tillie were a great team.

For Leo and Tillie, nothing was more important than being together with family and friends. Their family home in Wayne was the gathering place for all celebrations. They hosted summer outings with good clean fun like playing a game of tetherball, basketball, bocce ball, badminton, billiards, ping-pong, or having a race in the pool.

He and Tillie were avid travelers who had the privilege of visiting numerous countries on almost every continent in the world. When blessed with grandchildren, Leo was so proud to see them compete in their sports and dance recitals. The family enjoyed a mutual love of gathering almost every Sunday afternoon over a home cooked dinner.

Leo and Tillie shared a passion for music and live entertainment that was woven into the many aspects of their lives.  As a very young man, he became one of the founding members of the Clifton Songsters, a barbershop singing chorus. He later sang with and was President of the Dapper Dans of Harmony where they were formidable competitors in the world of Barbershop.  Leo and his buddies started a few barbershop quartets, his most recent, the Gondoliers – the name being inspired by a trip with friends and fellow singers to Venice. No matter the venue, the quartet often broke into a spontaneous song that was musical treat for all around them.

Leo and Tillie loved to play tennis, paddle tennis and golf.  They enjoyed these sports and developed lifelong friendships on and off the court and course.

Leo was an entrepreneur. He was the VP of Sales at Charles Swatek, Ridgefield, NJ.  Later he founded LAB Papers, a packaging design company. He worked until remarkable age of 89 years old; quite the inspiration.

Sadly, in 2003, Tillie became ill with dementia. For the next twelve years, Leo was devoted to her care and comfort. December 21, 2014, Tillie peacefully passed away. Soon after, Leo sold their home in Wayne and moved to Brandywine Senior Living in Mahwah where he remained to the present. Now he is reunited with Tillie, the love of his life.

Those who knew Leo, will miss his love, laughter, and friendship. Rest in peace Leo.

Leo was the beloved husband of Tillie (LoBiondo) until Tillie’s passing in 2014. He was the loving father of Linda Neely and her husband Dean of Greenwich, CT, and Jeffrey Breda and his wife Melissa of Boonton Twp.; cherished grandfather of: Michael and Jennifer Breda and Catherine Neely; dear brother of: Albert Breda of Orlando, FL, Emma Breda Costantin of Cincinnati, OH, and the late Viola Breda Conserva (1983); dear brother-in-law of Dr. Martin Conserva of Clifton; and dear cousin of Jane Belli McHugh of Pompton Plains, NJ, who was as close as a sister.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Leo’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068 (www.alznj.org) or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675 (www.WoundedWarriorProject.org).