Leonard J. Arcilesi

Rev. Leonard Arcilesi, 75, a native of Louisville,KY and priest of the Diocese of Owensboro,KY, died Friday, April 23, 2004 at the his home. His parents, Frank and Hazel Arcilesi and his only sibling, Vita Mae Schall-Miller preceded him in death. He was the pastor of St. Martin Catholic Church in Owensboro; former pastor of St. William and St. Lawrence Parishes in Daviess County and St. Stephen Church in Cadiz and the founding Parish of St. Michael Church at Fort Campbell-Oakgrove. He was Associate Pastor at St. Pius X and St. Mary of the Woods in Daviess County. Father Arcilesi was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Owensboro on May 27, 1989, after an internship at St. Anthony in Peonia, KY. He recognized as a builder and renovator, having served more than 14 years on the Diocesan Building Committee

A graduate of Bellarmine College in Louisville, Father Arcilesi received graduate degrees in education from the University of Cincinnati and St. Mary Seminary. He did post-graduate work at Purdue University, the University of Illinois, DePaul University, the University of New York, and Georgetown University. He was a world traveler and student of the artsa true renaissance person. He was involved in construction, building design, landscaping and planning.

A Kentucky Colonel and former Teacher Union leader, he served as president of his local in Cincinnati and was elected president of the Ohio Education Association. He was a high school teacher and administrator in the Cincinnati Public Schools. He also taught 2 years at Louisvilles Manual High; was chief negotiator of the first master agreement contract in the social sciences; co-authored a textbook on the teaching of high school economics; and served a year as a counselor in the Army Dependent Schools in Germany. As an educator, his main focus was on genuine learning and preparation for life skills. As an administrator, he stressed the improvement of teacher classroom techniques and increasing teacher professional development. As a leader in the teacher unions, he worked for improvement of teacher salaries and working conditions. He promoted scholarships for deserving students and in promoting vocational education.

He his survived by his aunt Maryann DAngelo of Detroit; two nephews, Fred and Frank Schall; three nieces, Deborah DAngelo (Leonard), Joan Marie Thorpe; and Lisa (Timothy) Stinson; eight great nieces and nephews; and many devoted friends.

Funeral services in Owensboro are at 11 A.M. CDT, Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at St. Martin Catholic Church. Visitation will be at the church from 12 Noon to 8 P.M. on Monday and after 9 A.M. on Tuesday. A prayer vigil service will be held at 7 P.M. Monday. Glenn Funeral Home is handling arrangements in Owensboro.

In Louisville, visitation will be at Bosse Funeral Home from 4-8 P.M.(EDT) on Tuesday and after 9 A.M. on Wednesday. There will be vigil service at the funeral home at 7 P.M. on Tuesday and a prayer service at 11 A.M. Wednesday followed by burial in St. Michael Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Diocese of Owensboro Seminary Fund, 600 Locust Street, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Online condolences may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com