Leo Cardini was many things- a gifted writer, a Broadway enthusiast, a lover of the sun and the outdoors, a generous and caring man and my Uncle Bill's lifetime partner of over 30 years. 

Leo was born in Brockton, Massachusetts and received a full scholarship to study classical piano at the Boston Conservatory.  He soon discovered a passion for theater and transferred to Goddard College to finish his undergraduate studies. Leo met William Carroll at Northeastern University in 1975, where Leo received a Masters degree in counseling.  Bill and Leo lived in Boston, New York and Lyndhurst, NJ, where they were joined in a civil union ceremony in 2007.  After many years on the East Coast, Bill and Leo retired to Palm Springs, CA in 2008.  Bill tragically passed away in 2009, and Leo rebuilt his life piece by piece without his life-long partner. 

 Leo was the author of several books and plays, including the erotic novel "Mineshaft Nights" and "Jack's Back", a musical comedy with an original take on the Jack the Ripper story.  Much to Leo;s delight, "Jack's Back" had just finished a successful run by the T. Schreiber Theatre in NY this spring.

 From the May 18, 2012 review by Lisa Jo Sagolla- 

" A spunky little musical, “Jack’s Back!” is lots more fun and far less disturbing than expected, considering its subject is Jack the Ripper. With lovingly derivative music and lyrics by Tom Herman, and a campy book by Elmer L. Kline (with Leo Cardini and Herman), this world premiere musical uses the notorious tale of the horrific murderer not to explore dark dramatic themes, but to send hugs and kisses to Gilbert & Sullivan, vaudeville, silent-film comedy, and Broadway musical theater conventions."

 Leo Cardini, who changed his name to that of his mother’s maiden name, is the son of Feconda Cardini Emord and the late Leo H. Emord.  He is survived by his mother Feconda "Fay" Cardini Emord, his sister Esther Coombes and his niece and nephew, Fay and Nat Coombes. 

 Recently, Leo had spent his time volunteering at Revivals, a consignment store in Palm Springs that directly benefits Desert AIDS Project.  Donations in his memory can be made to Desert AIDS Project.