Leonard Christopher Campagna

Leonard Christopher Campagna, known to many as Len, Lenny, Dad and Pop Pop, lost his battle with kidney and liver cancer on November 29, 2025. He was a man of sharp wit, deep loyalty and patriotism, possessing a gorgeous singing voice and a gift for storytelling that remained with him to the end.

Born March 8, 1938, in Lilly, PA, to the late Carlo Amerigo and Maria Grazia (Mary) Corvino Campagna, immigrants from Carpineto and Ischia, Italy. Len served with the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal in Communications. Stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC, he was deployed to Lebanon and learned to master Morse Code and diplomacy with other parts of the world.

A scholar-athlete, Len was offered scholarships to Juilliard for his voice and Catawba College for football. He chose the gridiron, and at Catawba, he was smitten by a co-ed named Linda Lesslie. Within seven months they eloped, beginning a 62-year journey defined by mutual respect and a shared appetite for new experiences.

Len’s professional life began at Hunter Huss High School, where he taught Biology and Driver’s Ed while coaching basketball and football. He later taught and coached football at South Mecklenburg High in Charlotte, NC, but his natural talent for networking eventually led him to Milton Bradley in educational sales. A management promotion to the home office in Massachusetts moved the family north, where Len ensured they did more than just endure the cold winters. He took great pride in taking his southern family on new adventures - on the ski slopes and exploring the beauty of the Northeast—from Broadway shows in NYC to seafood in Boston to the coastal reaches of New England beaches, stretching from Connecticut to Maine.

A music aficionado who believed that friendships were the family one chooses, Len was a fixture at dinner parties, bridge tables, and on the golf course. He was known for his quick wit and an endless array of dad jokes, funny hats and T-shirts that left no doubt about his opinions. Above all, he taught his family that people can be different and still maintain a deep love and respect for one another.

Len is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Lesslie Campagna; his sisters, Stella, Margaret, Ida, Eleanor, Christina, Priscilla, and Caroline; and his brothers, Will and David.

He is survived by his younger brothers, Emil and Carl; his daughter, Dana Campagna Lanham and her husband Todd of Mooresville, NC, and their children, Morgan Lesslie and Cooper Todd; and his son, Christopher Vincent (Chris) Campagna and his wife Nina of Landenberg, PA, and their sons, Duncan Paul, Holden Jay, and Martin Shaw. Countless nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews across the US and extended family in Italy who he will greatly miss.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Len at 11:00am on March 7th at Unity Church 8210 Unity Church Rd, Denver, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Leonard’s honor to the National Kidney Foundation.

Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Campagna family.  Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.KepnerFH.com