Lino J. "Leo" Picanso

Lino J. "Leo" Picanso, a Dracut resident, and the beloved husband of Maryjane (Forma) Picanso, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage, died on Sunday October 4, 2015, with his family by his side. He was 78.

Leo was born in Lowell on September 20, 1937, a son of the late Lino and Gladys (Mendonca) Picanso.
He is a graduate of Keith Academy and the New England Institute of Embalming in Boston. Upon graduation, Leo worked for the Folsom Funeral Home in Boston, and thereafter, returned to Lowell to work at the Morse Funeral Home. Leo is an Air Force Veteran. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class.Years later Leo left funeral service to pursue a career with his father-in- law James Forma at the family business of Lawrence Maid Footwear. He learned every aspect of shoe manufacturing from him. Leo worked at and retired from Wang Laboratories where he was the Director of Remanufacturing.
Leo enjoyed boating, golf, football, fishing, skiing, music, and classic cars. He was a former member of the Gate City Corvette Club, Indian Ridge Country Club, and the Holy Ghost Society. He was a member of St. Anthony's Parish and St. Margaret's Parish, in Lowell, Ma.
Leo and Maryjane traveled to Florida in their motor home each winter. He was happiest on the water, whether it was at his home at Newfound Lake or on family trips to Maine. When he was on land he enjoyed and spent many hours preparing his prized blue 1969 and red 1980 corvettes for various car shows.
Family was paramount to Leo and he treasured all of their many gatherings. His family recalls his deep love of faith and family, honesty and integrity together with his mischievous nature. They always knew he was up to something when they saw his signature glimmer in his eye and certain smile on his face. Leo was always willing to lend a helping hand a trait he inherited from his mother and father.
Leo's family would like to thank everyone at the D'Youville Adult Day Program, the staff at Heritage Nursing Care Center, and his caregivers at Lowell General Hospital - Saints Campus for the exceptional care given to him throughout these past few months.
Surviving him besides his wife are his four children, twins Lino J. Picanso of Hudson, NH, Laurie A. Hogan and her husband James of Pelham, NH, James L. Picanso of Methuen, Gregory C. Picanso of Dracut; seven grandchildren, Jeremy C. Picanso, Stephanie M. Picanso, Julianna Picanso, Oriana Picanso, Victoria E. Hogan, Alexandria J. Hogan, Elizabeth K. Hogan; a sister and brother in law, Linda M. and Robert Daigle of Hudson, NH, a sister-in-law, Jeannette Forma of Honolulu, Hawaii; many nieces, nephews and cousins including Lisa Daigle and Melanie Jozokos. He was the grandfather of the late Alexander J. Picanso and nephew of the late Laura T. Gulbicki and Margaret Katibian.