Leonard "Len" Spadafino

Leonard "Len" Spadafino, 84, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at his residence following a period of declining health. Born in Jersey City, NJ on October 25, 1931, a son of the late Vito and Arsola Manicone Spadafino, he had resided in this area since the early 1960's.

Len graduated from Snyder High School in Jersey City, NJ, where he lettered in football, track and baseball. He was selected to be a member of the All State football team and was honored as the most outstanding football player from Snyder High School during the first half of the twentieth century by the Jersey Journal. Len was the Junior AAU Metropolitan New York Javelin Champion in 1950.

While attending the University of Georgia on a football scholarship, Len was a 3 year starter at guard and linebacker. He was on the academic All SEC football teams in 1954 and 1955. Len was honored as a Scholar Athlete by the Athens Charter Football Hall of Fame. He took 2nd place in javelin at the Penn Relays and medaled in every Georgia AAU and SEC Championship meet that he participated in. While at the University of Georgia, Len obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry.

Len was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Army. While in the Army Len was the Fort Hood and 8th Army javelin champion. He retired from Eastman in 1997 as a senior chemist after 36 years of service. Len was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church and the Philosophers Sunday School Class. He was active in The Boy's Club Football Program and was a single handicap bowling Champion, and was a 12 year All Star in The Tennessee Eastman Softball League.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Grace Babic and brother, George Spadafino.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Sherry Spadafino; sons, Mark Spadafino of Lomito, California, and Keith Spadafino and wife, Camille of Nashville; grandson, Leonardo Spadafino; granddaughter, Alexandra Spadafino; brothers, Frank Spadafino and wife, Lucy of Secaucus, New Jersey, Nick Spadafino and wife, Jane of Jackson, New Jersey, John Spadafino and wife, Linda of Forked River, New Jersey, and Dr. Michael Spadafino and wife, Katherine of East Brunswick, New Jersey; sisters, Anna Amatulli and husband, John of Clark, New Jersey, Mary Bellezza and husband, Lenny of Stuart, Florida, and Catherine Thornton of Oxbridge, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Janice Hannon and husband, Henry of Athens, GA; and special aunt, Lorene Goetz of Athens, Georgia.

A private family entombment will be in Oak Hill Memorial Park's Mausoleum #4. A Flag presentation will be by The American Legion.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 pm at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Green and Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil Stephens, Jim Austin, Dr. Gerry Mayberry, Mark Spadafino, Keith Spadafino and Leo Spadafino.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Broad Street United Methodist Church Missions Fund, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660 or to The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter, 2061 Highway 75, Blountville, TN 37617.

Cemetery Details