For many years, one of the joys of our Christmas season was going to a party at the home of Jeanette's first cousin, Leonard Marangi. Len and his wife Janet were always perfect hosts and it was a time when we could see cousins whom we didn't usually get to see during the rest of the year. Len was such a modest, soft-spoken and easy-going guy that, until we heard the eulogies at his funeral, we never quite realized that like his namesake and paisano, Leonardo da Vinci, Len was truly a Renaissance man. His obituary was published in the Pasadena Star-News on 24 Feb 2011:
MARANGI – Leonard Maro Marangi, passed away on February 21, 2011, at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. Leonard was born in Los Angeles, California on January 26, 1929, in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood to an Italian immigrant father. He graduated from Lincoln High School, UCLA in 1950 and USC Law School in 1956. He was president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at UCLA and was Commander-in-Chief of the [Naval] ROTC.
Upon graduation from college, he became an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. After military service, he began his law studies at USC Law School, receiving the Order of the Coif. He began working at Hahn and Hahn, a leading law firm in Pasadena, during law school and practiced law at this firm his entire career. He served as managing partner for many years and was still active at Hahn and Hahn at the time of his death.
Leonard volunteered and performed philanthropic duties tirelessly for the community, including serving as a Trustee of the Huntington Memorial Hospital, service to the Tournament of Roses, past-President of the Pasadena Bar Association and recipient of the Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2001, Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chancery Club past-President, past-President of the Pasadena University Club, member of the Twilight Club and San Marino City Club, past-Trustee of the Foundation of the San Marino Community Church, past-Member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Hunt Club, and Society of Fellows of the Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Leonard was admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Len is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janet; his son Kirk and wife, Melinda, of South Pasadena; his son Kent, and wife, Cindy, of San Clemente; his daughter, Karen and husband, Federico Cura, of Arlington, Virginia; and his daughter Kathleen of Laguna Beach; seven grandchildren Tyler, Riley, Corinne, Erika, Grace, Elena and Marina; brother, Stanley Marangi, and wife, Janel, of Lake Elsinore. Len cherished time with his family.
He loved spending quiet weekends by the ocean in Laguna Beach, walking their dog Vanilla, and traveling around the world, especially to Italy. Family and friends appreciated Len's sound counsel, polite nature, deep integrity, vast knowledge, and strong listening and leadership skills. His life was well lived and well loved; he will be deeply missed by many friends and family. All are welcome to attend a celebration of life to be held on Friday, February 25th at 11 am at the San Marino Community Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Huntington Memorial Hospital, the USC Law School, or the Huntington Library. Cabot & Sons, Pasadena.