Rev. Dr. Louis D. Leone - July 27,1938 – March 20, 2026
Lou Leone of Dowling Park, FL. passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice on March 20, 2026.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; children Peter (Dawn) Leone of  NC and Jennifer Leone (Mike Lane) also of  NC; and his two grandchildren: Blake and Trent.

Lou was born in Ozone Park, NY and is a 1960 graduate of Long Island University. After undergraduate school Lou attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC, graduating in 1963 with a Master of Divinity and then pursued a second masters in Sacred Theology in Pastoral Counseling from NY Theological Seminary (1974). Continuing his academic journey, Lou received a Doctorate in Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO, graduating in 1993. In addition, he held a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Westchester Institute, was a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

After ordination in the United Methodist Church, Lou's career of service began with the NY Methodist Conference for which he served appointments in southeast Connecticut for 18 years. After a move to Volusia County, Florida, Lou was permitted dual standing in the United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ and was called to serve UCC congregations in Central Florida until his retirement.

A lifelong learner, Lou was constantly reading, keeping hundreds of books on his Kindle and bookshelves full, often with heavy academic reads. On his lighter, Lou enjoyed singing and playing guitar with community groups, always selecting songs with a punchline to get a laugh from the audience.

Lou was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather with a terrific sense of humor and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents Peter and Emily Leone and sister Ellen.

A private family service is planned.

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