In memoriam: John C. Leo.

John C. Leo, 88, of West Grove, PA, died March 12, 2007. He was the husband of Anne Camorano Leo, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. He was born in Philadelphia.

He started growing mushrooms in 1936 and left the business to enter the military during the war. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a master sergeant in the 8th Air Force and served as a gunner and radio operator aboard a B-24 Liberator bomber. For his valor and service, he was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Kennett Square, PA.

He resumed growing mushrooms in 1951. In 1972 he was joined by his son, Ed and formed John C. Leo & Son. Today, his grandson, Dan, is part of the business and his legacy lives on through three generations. John served on the boards of the American Mushroom Institute and the Mushroom Growers Association. He was also one of the original shareholders of Modern Mushroom Farms.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Edward A. Leo and his wife, Janet of Kennett Square; two daughters, Susan German and her husband, Howard of Hampstead, MD, and Annelise Lewis and her husband, David of Kennett Square; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Contributions may be made in John's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 100 N. 17th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103