Alfred J. Leonardi

Alfred John Leonardi passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. Al was an innovative thinker in his chosen career of teaching and in his passion, game designing. His creativity was unfettered and ever present.
As a teacher, he didn’t just teach history, he brought it to life. Students became part of the lesson. They were gladiators at the coliseum or running a country with its own resources and currency. Al's goal was to reach every student and help them understand.
Every aspect of Al's life reflected his true passion of game designing. As a father, he didn’t just fly paper airplanes, he made a game out of landing them on the ironing board. His home was always abuzz with games.
In 1981 Al was recognized by the gaming industry for developing Ace of Aces, a simultaneous dog fight played out in WWI aircraft in the sky. It was the first of many games and accolades using that system.
Al ‘s game, simply called The Roman Game, was a project that started with a map of Italy and a bunch of pennies. Every member of his family and many of his friends has played the Roman Game, in one incarnation or another. All helped to bring this project to fruition.
Al was born the only child of Alfred and Frances Leonardi Sr. on December 08, 1938, and grew up primarily on Cape Cod. He married “the most beautiful girl he had ever seen”, Lynda Moon Leonardi on December 01. 1962 and they moved to Connecticut where they started a family. First came Deborah and Toni. Followed by Mary and Jill.
Al worked at Pratt and Whitney while attending ECSU where he achieved his Masters degree in Education. Al taught for the Windham public school system at Kramer Middle School for many years. He made lifelong friends of teachers and students alike. Al served his country in the Army Reserves and was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Church in Windham Center.
Al is survived by his cat Smiley. Daughter Deborah Garafano and husband Scott, grandchildren Wayne Badger and Jessica Watson and great grandchildren Emma and Chloe.
Daughter Toni Leonardi, granddaughter Heather Davidson and great grandchildren Onyx, Ingrid and Freya. Granddaughter Chrystal Robinson and great grandchildren Bridget, Brynleigh, Aubrey, Milo, and Finnan.
Daughter Mary Leonardi, grandson Max Brennan and granddaughter Grace Leonardi and great grandchildren Melody and Willow.
Daughter Jill Leonardi and grandsons Duncan Carlson and Malcolm Carlson.
Dear friends Pieter and Lou Roos Dennis Greci and all his gaming family.
Al’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT. His funeral service will follow at 12:00pm at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Center Cemetery, Rte. 87, Columbia.
For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com