Leo Rotelli

WAUNAKEE- Leo (Nello) Anthony Rotelli, 94, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2018. He was born in Turtle Creek, PA., to Placido and Suigina "Jenny" (Saia) Rotelli. He was the devoted and loving husband to the late Martha (Yancic) Rotelli. Leo Rotelli was born in coal country, in the Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania. That beautiful backdrop cultivated Leo's love of nature and became an overriding influence in his life and artwork.
Leo believed in self-sufficiency. He was positive, practical and patient. He was an accomplished sportsman and "man's man". He took pleasure in growing his own food, hunting for meat, foraging for mushrooms, cooking and canning, making wine and creating solutions rather than complaints.
Leo proudly served in WWII, earning a coveted Expert Infantry Badge, which he wore on his cap. While in the military, he worked as a Dental Assistant throughout the West Indies and Caribbean.
After his military service, he eschewed naysayers, and used the GI bill to study at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for 4 years. After finishing art school, he sold a series of commissioned paintings which funded his move to Chicago. There, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and traveled. Leo especially loved his month-long visit to Mexico - its colors, language, music and especially the bull fights.
While living in Chicago, Leo traveled back home to Pennsylvania and met the love of his life Martha. Just 12 weeks after meeting, they married, and began their exciting lives in downtown Chicago. It was a time they both cherished - filled with nightlife and creative people and new experiences.
Leo made his living in the highly competitive world of advertising and commercial art. He started Rotelli Design on North Michigan Ave, and became an admired and accomplished designer. He operated for 30 years with many prestigious clients like the Chicago Board of Trade, The Lyric Opera, the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute and John Deere. Leo did beautiful work with typography, papers and innovative printing and won many design awards. Leo also served as President of the Artist's Guild of Chicago and used this position to fight for the rights of independent artists - suing companies that stole artist's ideas, time, or designs. He was proud of this accomplishment and the changes he made to safeguard freelancers at that time.
At home, Leo always did his own fine art. His art studio was filled with books, animal mounts, furs, fossils and ducks he carved. Leo was fascinated with rocks and minerals. He cut and shaped gems at home and especially liked working with raw opal, bringing forward its beautiful colors.
Leo was also a voracious reader - he loved reading about different cultures, wine, history, hunting, philosophy, science and poetry. He truly studied and learned constantly. A musical guy, Leo was always humming, whistling and playing records while he puttered. He enjoyed many genres of music - big band, Spanish guitar, New Orleans jazz and especially opera. He himself played harmonica and drums.
Leo always said that his family was the most important thing to him. He had immense respect for women and took his role as husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, both seriously and joyously. He made so many lives rich and memorable with his spirited story-telling, fishing and hunting trips and all the fun he would create. We thank him for listening, his exemplary life example and for his unconditional love. May the generosity of his spirit and friendship linger within all who knew him.
Leo is survived by his children Mason (Donna) and Jennifer (John) Cuccia; grandchildren Brett (Tamara) Rotelli, Graham (Sheila) Rotelli, Travis (Catherine) Rotelli, Corey and Brittany Rotelli, Eve and Marie Cuccia; great-grandchildren Kayla and Kristin Koch, Giuliana, Nello, Finn, and Blaney Rotelli; his sister Delores McCartney Esq., and numerous loving nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brothers Carl, Pete, and Joe; sisters Inez and Annie; wife Martha and son Eric.
We will wistfully miss Leo - his zest for life, contagious spirit, artistic eye and drive to create. We will also miss his marvelous stories and his quest for everyday adventure. Be happy and know that Leo had done everything he set out to do. He was content and proud of his life. He left us with marvelous artwork, ideas and things to smile over and ponder. Lastly, he would remind us that learning is lifelong and "He who hesitates is lost."
A memorial service is planned for February 10th at 11a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church Chapel, 209 South St., Waunakee, WI and a celebration to follow at the nearby Waunakee Village Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.bakervictoryservices.org . - Leo's home for four years following his mother's passing. Our family would like to thank Father Nelson Baker and Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity for shaping Leo's young life. We would also like to thank Leo's caregiver Ganbat "Bo" Altengral, Nancy Froncek, Susan Buri, Jerry Adams, Pete Lescrenier and David Rotelli, for being constants in Leo's life. We are grateful to the Agrace Hospice Staff and all the other wonderful friends, new and old, who have come to spend time and enjoy a glass of wine with us these last years. We feel very blessed.


Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI