Obituary of Leonard A. DeFusco
Leonard A. DeFusco, M.D., 88, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, passed away on April 13, 2025.
Born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, Leonard graduated from Providence College before earning his medical degree from Georgetown University in 1962. He completed his internship in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Lenawee, stationed in San Diego, and served in the Vietnam War.
Following his military service, Leonard moved to Connecticut and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. For over 30 years, he maintained a successful and compassionate medical practice with several offices, delivering more than 3,000 babies—including the first set of quadruplets successfully delivered in Hartford, Connecticut. Leonard was known for his dedication to his patients, his skill as a physician, and his calming bedside manner.
Beyond medicine, Leonard led a full and curious life. He was an avid reader, a thoughtful philosopher, and a passionate fan of both the New York Yankees and UConn basketball — especially the women’s teams, which he considered the “purer” sport. He found joy in playing the piano, engaging in deep conversations, and immersing himself in nature. He was a skilled hunter of deer, bison and turkey and enjoyed many outings with friends and sons.
Leonard inherited a love for mushroom foraging from his father, a passion he passed on to his children and grandchildren through long walks in the woods. In retirement, he authored Toadstool! An Introduction to Edible Wild Mushrooms of New England, a guidebook for fellow enthusiasts. At the age of 51, he discovered a deep love for ocean boating and spent the next three decades piloting his boat—aptly named The Recovery Room—to destinations including Maine, Atlantic City, Shelter Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and his favorite, Block Island.
Leonard was a generous man. He was a longtime supporter of organizations that provided healthcare to the underserved, amongst others. He cared for the less fortunate and treated strangers with kindness.
Leonard is predeceased by his beloved son Leonard Jr., formerly of Mesa, Arizona, and his brother Louis of Ramona, California. He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Mark DeFusco and his wife, Helen (Mesa, AZ); Laura Couty and her husband, Bob (Scottsdale, AZ); Andrew DeFusco and his wife, Bryn (Scottsdale, AZ); Deanna Walker and her husband, David (Chandler, AZ); and Caroline Rhoades and her husband, Jeff (Glastonbury, Connecticut). He also had 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered for his integrity, warmth, humor, and the extraordinary life he lived.
Please join the family of Dr. Leonard A. DeFusco for a Celebration of Life, Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Meadow Hill Clubhouse, 107 Hollister Way N., Glastonbury. We look forward to hearing your stories.