Dick Leous Eulogy
My name is Peter Rizzo, a very close friend of the Leous Family. On behalf of the Leous family, thank you all for joining us for today’s liturgical celebration as we offer prayers for the soul of Dick Leous—a friend, brother, uncle, grandfather, father, and husband. It is my honor and privilege to read the following eulogy written by Dick’s loving children.
Dad grew up on Colton Drive in Buffalo, in a most loving household, with his mother and father, his brothers, Roger and Oppy, and his sister, “Sis.” He adored his family and was equally passionate about all that life had to offer. He loved music and took piano lessons as a child—he could play any song by ear. He also loved sports from an early age, playing football, hockey, and baseball in his youth. At Bennett High School, he excelled as an all-star athlete on the football and baseball fields. It wasn’t until we stumbled upon old newspaper articles chronicling dad’s athletic career that we came to realize all of his outstanding accomplishments. He once broke his nose during a football game and then begged the coach to let him back in the game, only to score the game-winning touchdown.
Sadly, as much as Dad wanted his father to see him in action on the field, his father’s high blood pressure prevented that from happening. Throughout his high school athletic career, Dick’s father only saw his son play in one game, but he was always there in spirit and was by-far his biggest fan.
As his high school career neared a close, Dad was offered full athletic scholarships to Yale University and the University of Notre Dame. Although his father was pulling for Yale, believing his son would see more time on the football field, dad chose Notre Dame. And as Mary Ursula says, “Dick ate crow for that decision.” He played second-string for his first year-and-a-half at Notre Dame, during which time he sustained three concussions and a fractured cheekbone. These devastating injuries ended Dad’s college football career and might have put his scholarship in jeopardy were it not for his true passion for the game. This did not go unnoticed by the coaches and staff at Notre Dame—they allowed him to retain his full ride and serve as the statistician for the football team, for which he was eternally grateful.
But if dad loved anything more than football, it was his little lady. Picture it: Sherkston Quarry, August 1946. Dick’s brother, Oppy, introduces him to the dazzling Mary Ursula Schlau, clad in a green-and-white-checkered two-piece bathing suit—Dick thought she was the bee’s knees. Just weeks later, on Labor Day weekend, Sis and her husband, Dick, brought dad to a Crystal Beach dance hall to bid farewell to his friend, Mary. He told Mary he was leaving for Notre Dame and asked if she would write to him now and again. And write she did—every day, in fact, for four straight years—sealing every envelope with a red lipstick kiss.
Their long-distance relationship endured dad’s four years at Notre Dame and two years serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When dad finally returned home from Germany, he presented mom with a ring and asked for her hand in marriage. They were married on October 25, 1952, and they never looked back.
Dad worked hard his entire life, but he never missed a family event. Every weekend there were outings, like picnics, trips to the zoo, or a free concert. He always made time for each of his five kids, attending our Boy Scout events, softball games, swim meets, and the like. He knew how important it was for him to share his precious time on earth with his family because, as he saw it, time was love. Mom and dad lived every day as if it were their last.
After retirement, dad’s three wishes were to travel with his beloved wife, play golf, and go to church every day. He accomplished all three. They saw the beauty of the world and enjoyed every second of what life had to offer.
Dad was a man of faith. While at Notre Dame, he prayed every day at the grotto. In retirement, dad led parishioners in the Rosary after 8:00 weekday Mass here at St. John the Baptist. He would then return home and pray for another hour—and that’s not because he was trying to avoid mom. In fact, they loved to pray together. Every night after the 5:30 news, mom and dad would say the Rosary out loud together. Every road trip the Leous family ever took began with us praying the Rosary together. Dad’s biggest and most important wish for all five of his children was that each of us lives our lives grounded in faith and devotion to the Lord. All of us have and continue to fulfill that wish.
Dad was tender, strong, and true. And, he liked to have a little fun here and there, always telling us jokes at the table. He would say, “Someone was looking for you the other day… a couple of squirrels... they thought you were nuts.” Every April Fool’s Day, he would call everyone he knew just to play a little prank. He would never have a toe out of line any other day, but on April 1st, he could have a laugh, and he knew it was okay to do so.
Dad was also fond of food. He loved chocolate. Every Easter, he would gain 5 or 10 pounds eating giant chocolate bunnies. He spent much time perfecting his bread baking, making pumpernickel, hot cross buns, and rye bread. It was a perfect pastime for his patient soul.
Even towards the end of his life, dad never complained. He may have had some bruises and cuts, but whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he answered, “Wonderful.” Because he knew that life was indeed wonderful and that Heaven was near.
Dad gave us so many lessons of love that we know he carried up to Heaven. We hope to share these lessons with you, knowing that Dad’s green eyes are smiling from above.
The first is from Mary. One of the greatest lessons he taught me was the power of prayer. And through prayer, he was one of the most loyal individuals. He was the foundation, and he loved everyone who came into his life and made room for them. He had so many wonderful friends, and he loved church, football, and family.
From Anne: Dad taught everyone he knew to walk in faith. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, always supportive and encouraging. He always sought out the very best in people, and his humbleness and gentleness were evident to all. God most certainly had a plan for dad, and he played every day like a champion.
From Karen: A beautiful lesson I learned early on was that you don’t quit something after you start—you continue until the end. When Anne was six, and I was four, we thought we wanted to take dance lessons. We soon realized that neither of us wanted to dance, but we weren’t going to quit until we finished those lessons. You stick with something, and you follow through because life requires a lot of follow-through. Equally impactful, I learned that family vacations are so very important. My dad loved every vacation he ever took. He would beam at the start of every vacation, and this is something I knew I wanted to carry on with my own family. Family time cannot be replaced.
From Richard: The biggest lesson I learned from my dad was that a father’s job is to love his family with all of his heart. My dad was so well-known and highly-regarded throughout Buffalo, and despite his many accomplishments, he was never boastful or pretentious. He showed kindness to all and was devoted to his faith and family.
From Kevin: Whenever life wasn’t going the way I had hoped, my dad always told me to “just roll with the punches.” I still whisper this saying to myself when life takes an unexpected turn. Also, when my dad and I both worked at Calspan, I remember him paying me visits at my desk. On a chalkboard hanging by my desk, he would always write the words “burning desire” and tell me that I will always do my very best if I have a burning desire. I carry those words with me to this day, for what is life without the burning desire to be better, to do better, and to love better?
From Linda: Dad was the kindest gentleman. I feel blessed that I was able to care for him for so long. He was always so grateful for anyone and everything, and the most important lesson he taught me was to live life with gratitude. When you give thanks daily, you never forget the joy in your heart.
In closing, the following was prepared by Richard:
For whatever reason, I was blessed to spend the last few days beside my father in the hospital. I will never know why I was granted this blessing, but I know it was God’s plan for me.
On the day dad died, I was with him during the hospital visiting hours. At about 2:45 PM, I was sitting next to dad in bed, and I witnessed him raise his left arm to the ceiling, and he whispered, “Heaven, Heaven, Heaven.” I was holding his right hand with my left hand, and he squeezed my hand tightly, and I said to him, “Absolutely, dad, you are going straight to Heaven. Daddy-all we want is for you to be out of pain and to go to Heaven to be with your parents and your siblings.”
He immediately recited the Our Father and Hail Mary as best he could in his weak condition. His hands were very warm, and there were a few times he let go of my hand and clasped his hands in front of his chest, praying to our Heavenly Father. At that moment, I simply could not believe the energy he was exhibiting through prayer, but then again, the strength of prayer is unmatched by any other.
If you know my dad, you know that he was welcomed into the gates of Heaven with the warm embrace of his parents and siblings and all his beautiful friends and football buddies with the Irish Fight Song chanting in the distance. We love you, daddy.
