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Leonard "Lenny" Nasca, 75, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Dunkirk, NY died after a short illness on January 28, 2009 at Tucson Medical Center's Hospice - Peppi's House.

He was born October 28, 1933 in Dunkirk, Son of the late Nicholas Nasca and Anna Nasca Centner.

After graduating from Dunkirk High School in 1951, Lenny joined the US Navy and served four years on board the USS Macon, CA 132. He was proud to have served his country and throughout his life he was a member of Veterans organ-izations in Dunkirk and Tucson.

A professional firefighter in Dunkirk, he retired from the Murray Hose 4 fire company in 1987 after more than twenty years of service to Dunkirk. He worked at Hose 1 and Hose 2 fire halls, as a fireman and EMT, and always had fond memories of those people he helped and those he worked with.

As a licensed electrician and a person who could fix anything, Lenny spent a great deal of time working around his home and help-ing others with their special projects. There are many people in our community who will think of him when they turn on their light switch.

Having lost his father at an early age, Lenny loved and valued his wife Ann and their three sons more than any other thing in his life. After retirement they moved to Tucson to be near their youngest son and his family. The warmth of the Arizona sun was an added benefit after years of deal-ing with our WNY winters.

Lenny is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Ann (Dolce) Nasca, and three sons, Ralph (Patty) Nasca of Dallas, TX, Rick (Kathy) Nasca of Huntington Beach, CA, and Scott (Adriana) Nasca of Tucson, AZ. He and Ann have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Lucille "Lu" Gillson of Dunkirk and Carol (David) Wilder of Silver Creek. Lenny also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by both his parents, Nicholas Nasca and Anna (Petz) Nasca Centner, as well as his brother Arthur "Butch" Centner and his brother-in-law Clem Gill-son.

Lenny loved his family and he loved his "life". He spent it in service to his country, his career, and his community. For those of us who knew and loved him our world is a darker place without him. He was also a hard working and modest man, and if he could speak to us now, he would tell us not to curse that darkness but to brighten the world by finding a way to be of service to those around you. He would want us to volunteer our help to oth-ers, to give back to our community, to offer a smile and laughter to our family and friends. Things like that are all a part of the legacy that Lenny left us.

His family was so grateful for the wonderful loving care he was given at The Peppi's House Hospice in Tucson that they would en-courage any donations might go there or to any Hospice program of your choosing. Any cards or letters of condolences could be sent to Carol Wilder at 12073 Forestville Rd., Silver Creek, NY 14136 and they will be forwarded to Lenny's wife and chil-dren.