Leo J. Nenno

Leo J Nenno - Local Ski Legend

Olean- Leo J. Nenno, 88, of Olean, passed away Tuesday (November 14, 2023) at Olean General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. 

Born July 18, 1935, in Allegany, he was the youngest son of Clyde and Catherine Nenno. 

Leo was a graduate of Allegany High School (Class of ’54). Inducted into the school’s Wall of Fame in 2009, Leo was a three-sport athlete in Football, Basketball, and Track. He was known for being a fierce rebounder and holding school records in both shot put and discus for many years. Following his illustrious high school career, Leo went on to play football for Alfred University. Throughout his life, he participated in numerous bike races, marathons and triathlons where he stood on the podium many times.  

On August 11, 1956 at St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany, he married the love of his life, Patricia ‘Patty’ Sowinski. They enjoyed 63 happy years together until Patricia’s passing in 2020. 

In 1973, Leo was named the Olean Times Herald Man of the Year for his work in youth ski racing. He was a founder of the ski-racing program at Wing Hollow (Allegany) where he coached for over 30 years with an unwavering passion for the furtherance of the sport. Following the closure of Ski Wing, he went on to Holiday Valley where he coached and led the Screaming Eagles Program for many years. Over his ski career, Leo officiated as a Technical Delegate in some of the top ski races in the Eastern United States. Leo helped develop local athletes into future National Champions and Collegiate Athletes, but most importantly emphasized skiing fast and having fun. 

For 37 years, Leo worked for Stroehmann Bakeries in Olean. Additionally, he was both a veteran of the United States Army and a dedicated and passionate public servant, representing his constituents for many years as a Town of Olean Council member and eventually a proud Democrat on the Cattaraugus County Legislature.   

In his later years, Leo enjoyed Friday night dinners at his house with his great grandchildren and Friday coffee club with his longtime friends Charlie McCole and Tom Potter.

He is survived by three sons; Tom (Pam) Nenno of Murrysville, Pa, Jerry (Lorraine) Nenno of Olean, and Mike (Sally) Nenno of Great Valley. He was very proud of his seven grandchildren, Andrew (Laura) Nenno, Erika (Michael) Hastings, Nickolas (Mark) Nenno, Karen (Brian) Nenno, Paul (Chanel) Nenno, Alex (Laura) Nenno, and Brad Nenno; four great grandchildren Leo, Ella Patricia, Blake, and Atlas.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Betty (Jimmy) Wilson, Mary (Brent) Diffenderfer, Teresa (Gordon) Meyers, William (Sonya) Nenno, and Clyde Nenno Jr.

We wish to thank and acknowledge Mary Anne Knaus who was so loving and devoted to Leo’s care at his home. 

Friends and family are invited to a visitation at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc. 1303 E. State St, Olean on Sunday (November 19, 2023) from 3-6 pm. 

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels on Monday (November 20, 2023) at 10 AM. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. 

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Holiday Valley Race Team Fund, https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/HolidayValleyTrainingCenterParentsAssociation/donatenow or The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.