A memorial service for lifelong Old Forge resident Leo Philip Villiere, 94, who passed away on February 19, will be held at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on Saturday, June 16 at 10 a.m. Internment of the ashes will immediately follow the funeral service at Riverview Cemetery.
A luncheon will be held downstairs in the basement of the church immediately following.
Leo was born on December 10, 1917, the son of George N. Villiere and Julia Christy Villiere. He was the youngest of five children.
His eldest brother Reginald, brother Clayton, brother Clarence and sister Marie Villiere Turpin predeceased him.
Leo married Yvonne Grenon in 1940 in Old Forge. They had three sons, George Joseph Villiere; Lee Villiere, who died in an accident at the age of five; and Christopher Villiere who died shortly after birth.
Yvonne died in 1976. Leo married Agnes McCarthy Standerwick in 1983, who predeceased him in January 2006.
Surviving Leo are his son George and his wife Marcia of Old Forge; two grandchildren, Andrea Villiere and Jason Villiere; and great grandson Dakota Villiere.
Leo also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a dear sister-in-law Pauline MacDonald of Old Forge. From his marriage to Agnes Villiere Leo leaves behind several sisters-in-law in Syracuse.
During his early years, Leo worked in the local logging industry for C. J. Strife and Edgar Scouten. He was also employed by Lincoln Laundry, picking up and delivering linens and towels to the many resorts and hotels in the area at that time.
Leo later became a general contractor. He developed the Nick’s Lake Campsite under contract with the State of New York, and built the connecting road between the Bisby Road and Little Moose Lake.
Among his many other local building projects was the construction of the snowmobile racetrack on North Street which is now the site of the soccer field and the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center.
Leo was a successful real estate developer with South Shore Acres and Fletcher Point being two of his developments. Leo loved people and enjoyed talking to them.
He was one of a kind and will be missed All are welcome to join his family as they celebrate his life on June 16th.
