Leo Volpe

Leo Michael Volpe was a charismatic, handsome man. He was a kind-hearted soul and very compassionate of his fellow man. He was very generous and would help those less fortunate and those in need; he left his mark on many people and was loved by all. Leo was a self-made man who motivated people to go beyond their boundaries, to reach for the stars and make their dreams come true.

Leo Michael Volpe was born to Anthony and Rose (Ciambatti) Volpe of Detroit, Michigan. Anthony and Rose were immigrants from Acri, Italy. Acri was a small town in Abruzzo, a mountainous region at the heart of central Italy. It was less than a two-hour drive from central Rome, but the landscape was mountainous and covered in alpine wildflowers and dense beechwoods. Above all this beauty you could see the majestic high peaks of the Apennines mountain range. Despite all this beauty, Anthony felt he would have better opportunities in the United States and would make a better life for his family. He settled in Detroit, Michigan and soon was joined by Rose. This is where they made their home and raised their family.

Leo was not the only child born to the couple on May 14, 1933. He was born with a twin brother, Adele, at his side. What a celebration there was on this wonderful birthday! Leo and Adele formed a very close relationship throughout the years they would spend together. Papa Anthony was overwhelmed with love for his sons. He was very proud of his whole family, which eventually consisted of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Leo’s father worked very hard as a contractor and developed a very successful business, Volpe Excavating Company. Dad was very tough on the children and they worked with him as soon as they were able. He was very proud of his children’s involvement in the business.

Leo graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit. He was well liked by his peers, especially the ladies. Leo and Adele had their own automobiles, which they liked to customize. They also liked to dance, and dance they did. After graduation from high school, they opened their own dance studio on 8 Mile, the Volpe Twins Dance Studio. At every event they went to, everyone wanted to see them dance. Again, the ladies would line up and try to attract their attention. They were very handsome and charming, and people enjoyed being around them because they were so much fun. Nobody was more fun than Leo, especially when he had his brother, Adele, to play off of.

Sam Nardicchio said, “My wedding reception stopped when Leo went up to dance.” The wedding guests were thrilled to see his performance. Every year there was a “Cinderella Ball” where the twins would dance. People would come just to watch the talented Leo and Adele dance. In addition to the Dance Studio, they started up their own construction company in 1960, “Volpe Twins Construction”. They got their first equipment from Dan Holloway. They tried for three straight days to get an appointment with Dan. Finally, an exasperated Dan said, “What do you want?” He gave them a dozer and said, “I either want my money or the dozer back in 90 days.” Everything worked out fine and the three men became good friends.

In 1964, a successful “Volpe Twins Construction” became “B and V Construction” and was located in Novi, Michigan. They grew to have over 300 employees and were known as the “biggest earth movers” in town. They were involved in the building of I-275, a number of runways at Detroit Metro Airport, and the Big Beaver exit along I-75.

Leo had unknowingly attracted the attention of a lovely young lady, Connie Siedlak. She had heard of Leo and knew of his reputation as a fun-loving guy. She looked up his phone number and courageously gave him a call. Unfortunately, Leo was involved in a relationship at the time, but Connie never forgot Leo.

Years later they were to meet. Leo walked into a restaurant where Connie was a waitress. She approached him and asked him if he remembered their phone conversation years earlier. Leo indeed remembered the conversation, and was instantly enamored with Connie. He chased her unmercifully and left huge tips until he had her full attention. Connie was not like other girls; she acted like she was unimpressed with him. This was another attractive feature to Leo. He and Connie became “an item” and Leo grew to love her family, as much as he loved Connie. The young couple was married in 1979 and began their life together as husband and wife.

Leo and Connie loved children, but never were blessed with children of their own.Halloween was one of Leo’s favorite holidays and he would buy a $1,000 worth of candy, and only the big candy bars would do, to hand out to the children in the neighborhood. The children loved stopping at Leo’s home, many changing masks and making return trips for more of Leo’s candy.

In his spare time, Leo loved to play golf. He also loved “givin’ it a ring”, the phrase he used to refer to gambling. But he never forgot his first rule "Never run out of money."

Leo surrounded himself with people and pets he treated like family. He was a lover of animals and had three dogs he treated like his children. Addie-Marie, Lucy, and Frankie were his precious “babies”.

Leo treated his employees like family; he loved them and appreciated everything they did for him and his family. If they ever needed help, they went to Leo. He would make sure they would get what they needed to see them through their difficulties. He always believed he got where he was, because of the sum of the people that helped him along the way, his family, friends, and employees.

Leo was anonymously involved in the community and supported many charities that were dear to his heart. A very short list being: the Wixom Police, Toys for Tots, many hospitals in the area, and the Holocaust Museum. In addition, he had many causes and programs he believed in and supported generously for many years. Leo was a very humble man and everyone recognized this exceptional quality because he was so very special. Leo was a bright shining light in the lives of so many people. His life was centered on his family and friends.

Leo Michael Volpe died on March 21, 2005. He was the beloved husband of Connie Volpe. Survived by family and friends including: Greg and Margie Christopher and family; Sam and Penny Nardicchio and family; Joanee and Stephen Hurwitz and Ali; Derek and Rebecca Schultz and family; Dr. Eugene and Ellen Rontal and family; Dan and niece, Paula Cook and family; niece, Sandy and Joe Zarkin and family; sister-in-law Caroline and Carl Rybinski; Geraldine Volpe and family; and his beloved dogs Addie-Marie, Lucy, and Frankie.

Visitation will be on Tuesday and Wednesday at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan, from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Prayer service will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Thursday from St. Fabian Catholic Church, Farmington Hills, in-state at 9:30 a.m. with Mass at 10:00 a.m. Donations may be made to Michigan Humane Society.Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Leo, order flowers or make a memorial contribution on-line.