Leonard J. Montalbano

Len Montalbano passed away peacefully at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving wife of 60 years and two devoted sons, on September 12, 2026. He leaves behind a unique and loving legacy, and he will be deeply missed.

Len was born in Rockford, IL on May 17, 1938, the middle of three sons born to Dominic and Virginia Montalbano (née Piccione). He attended high school in Oregon, IL where he was active in sports and held the school record in the discus throw his senior year. He attended Bradley University, majoring in Business and Light Building Construction. In 1958, he left college to join the Army Corps of Engineers and was sent to Tripoli, Libya, for topographic mapping and later to Matera, Italy, as part of NATO, surveying for future missile bases.

In 1961, Len returned to Bradley and obtained his academic degree. He moved to Milwaukee and worked for various builders and then shortly thereafter met his future wife, Theresa Fazzari. They were married on November 6, 1965, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Len worked for the Milton LaPour Agency as a loan originator and appraiser and operated a home construction company for several years.

In 1970, Len started his own business, Montalbano Realty, and for the next 54 years specialized in real estate appraisals of all types, as well as buying and selling residential and commercial real estate. A highlight of his career was training and mentoring his son Jim in appraising, property management, and real estate investments while Jim worked with him in Racine.

Always active in sports, Len loved playing handball at the YMCA and coaching youth sports. In later years, Len took up road biking. But by far his most enthusiastic hobbies involved his Italian heritage. He loved all things Italian—the history, culture, food, and language. Theresa nurtured Len’s interest in Italian cuisine by preparing his favorite Italian meals. And he believed a good meal was never complete without a glass (or two) of Italian red wine. An active home wine maker for 35 years, Len won Best of Show and Best in Class ribbons at the Wisconsin State Fair. He was a member of the Wisconsin Vintners Association and American Wine Society and was a certified wine judge. He and Theresa traveled annually to the American Wine Society Convention and were able to tour many cities in the U.S. as part of those trips.

Although Len did not grow up speaking Italian, he sought lessons and opportunities to practice speaking the language through trips to Italy to visit relatives, and he worked with Italian tutors whom he appreciated greatly for helping him increase his love and knowledge of Italy. Len was a longtime member of the Roma Lodge.

Aligned with his pride in his Italian heritage was his immense pride in his family. He was proud that his son Jim followed in his footsteps with a career in commercial real estate and that his son Joe attended medical school, becoming a radiologist. “Nonno” made each grandchild feel special, telling them bedtime superhero stories when they were little, and taking them on pirate’s treasure hunts at the Racine beach where he secretly hid “golden doubloons” for them to find.

The annual weekend at Wisconsin Dells with the whole family highlighted each summer, and Len’s grandkids also enjoyed spending quiet time with him playing chess or cribbage. When they were in high school, Len traveled to watch tennis tournaments and ballet performances, and during Covid tuned in to watch basketball and volleyball games via live stream. He enjoyed conversing with them one on one when they became adults, and he was very proud that all four chose careers in finance.

Len had a close relationship with his many nieces and nephews. In recent years, special weekly visits by Gordon, Charleigh, and baby Louis Bock brought extra joy to his later years.

In 1993, Len underwent a kidney transplant with a kidney donated by his brother Mike. He lived with that kidney for the next 33 years. Although he faced numerous unrelated health challenges throughout his life, Len handled them with acceptance, grace, and strength. Len appreciated having his son Joe, a physician, there to help guide him through these multiple health issues. His life is an inspiration to many, and he will live deeply in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Len was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sister-in-law, Anthony (Loretta) Montalbano, Michael Montalbano, and John Ils, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Serafina Fazzari, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Louis Fazzari and Richard (Angie) Vallin. Len is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Montalbano, sons James (Patricia) Montalbano and Joseph (Catherine) Montalbano, grandchildren Michael, Daniel, Nina and Vincent Montalbano, sister Elizabeth (Donald) Cline, sister-in-law Judith Montalbano, and many nieces and nephews who maintained a loving relationship with their Uncle Len through the years.

Len’s family would like to thank the medical staff at Ascension All Saints Hospital for their outstanding care and support, especially those in the Inpatient Rehabilitation wing and the Cardiac Care floor. Also, a special thanks to the organ transplant team at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue in Racine, on Wednesday, September 30, at 11:30 a.m. with visitation at the church before the mass starting at 10:00 a.m., and continuing until 11:30 a.m.. with a break from 10:15-10:25 a.m. for a brief Roma Lodge ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Racine Health Care Network, 500 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, or your favorite charity.