April 7, 2022 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Sonia “Sunny” L. Leighton of West Chester

Sonia “Sunny” L. Leighton, 88, of West Chester, died Tuesday, April 5, at the Pocopson Home. She was the wife of Harry F. Leighton who died in 2003, and with whom she shared 48 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Henry A. Hartman and the late Marguerite E. Firestone Hartman.

She was a homemaker, but had worked part-time at Hank’s Restaurant in Chadds Ford, and at Betty’s in West Chester.

Sunny enjoyed traveling with her best friend Edie, gardening, doing volunteer work and being a history buff. She especially enjoyed being with her family.

She is survived by two daughters, Linda L. Gray and her husband Joseph of West Chester, and Lori L Mason and her husband Robert of Coatesville, one sister Cathey Laudato of Pottstown, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Sunny was predeceased by two sisters, Gail Haly and Mary Ellen McDevitt.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 14, at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. Her memorial service will follow; burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

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Mr. Paul Ruggieri of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Mr. Paul Ruggieri, 61, of Kennett Square, died Monday, April 4, at his residence. Born on June 19, 1960, in West Chester, he was the son of the late Dino and Joy (Johnson) Ruggieri.

Paul worked for the family mushroom business in Kennett Square before becoming a correctional officer at the Chester County Prison. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, Philadelphia sports, and playing fantasy football. Paul volunteered his time with the City Gate Mission helping those in need. He enjoyed time away often visiting Avalon, N.J., and most of all, he loved spending time with his daughters and grand-dogs.

Paul is survived by his daughters, Maddie Ruggieri (Steve) and Marina Ruggieri (Matt), his siblings, Lisa Adams (Keith), John Ruggieri (Lori), and Pete Ruggieri (Stephanie). In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers Mark and Dean Ruggieri.

All services will be private. Contributions may be made to the City Gate Mission, 17 North 7^thAve., Coatesville, PA 19320 to continue the work that was so important to Paul.

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Hank’s gets HARB OK

Local News Chadds Ford, Local News

Chadds Ford Township supervisors Wednesday night affirmed a HARB Certificate of Appropriateness for the reconstruction of Hank’s Place, based on the architect’s rendering and elevation. The Historical and Architectural Review Board heard the application in mid-March. One condition of the affirmation is that the owners must provide an electronic update if there are any changes.

Hank’s Place owners Anthony and Katie Young must still get zoning approval and an OK from the Sewer Authority, before going back to the Planning Commission as part of the normal land use application. Once the commission recommends approval, the Youngs can go back to the supervisors for final approval and begin reconstruction.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Around Town April 7

Along the Ford

_1JF0175-horizontal — The sign is back up at Leaders Sunoco. Pumping gas is still at least a week or more away.

• At least the sign is back up at Leaders Sunoco in Chadds Ford Village. The sign was knocked down in December when a truck ran through the gas station one Sunday morning. There are no gasoline prices showing on the sign because the pumps still have to be replaced. They were destroyed in the Sept. 1 flood. Dan Leader said they’ve been told that the pumps could be delivered on April 16.

Did Chester County influence Abraham Lincoln’s run for the presidency?

• Did Chester County influence Abraham Lincoln’s decision to run for the presidency? The book “For the Union” tells the story of how Quaker abolition, a hanging, a slave riot, and a newspaper in West Chester helped launch Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign in 1860, and it was published in West Chester. Learn how that book helped Lincoln become the 16^th president during an online discussion of the book through the Chester County History Center’s April 26 presentation For the Union: Launching Lincoln’s Quest for the Presidency in Chester County. This is a pay-as-you-wish event beginning at 7 p.m. Register here.

• West Chester University Opera Theatre will stage Johann Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus this weekend, Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. Tickets are $12/$7 for students at https://wcupatix.com/schoolofmusic. Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale directs the operetta, in an adaptation by Richard Kagey.

Train camp returns to the Marshal Steam Museum this summer.

• It’s all aboard for summer train camp. Kids 10-14 years of age can get a hands-on feel for trains this summer during the Marshal Steam Museum’s one-day camps, on June 27, July 15, and Aug. 1. The camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cost $150 per camper. Go here to register and learn more.

The Delaware County Symphony will be presenting a concert showcasing the talent of the DCS Brass Quintet and the Rose Tree Pops Jazz Combo on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. The concert, titled 20th Century Brass and Jazz, will feature performances of classic pieces for brass quintet as well as some jazz standards. The quintet will be performing two traditional pieces for brass; Victor Ewald’s Quintet No. 2 and Sonny Kompanek’s Killer Tango, as well as Ludwig Göransson’s theme from The Mandalorian series. The concert will be performed in the Meagher Theater at Neumann University. Tickets can be purchased at delaware-county-symphony.ticketleap.com

• A little improv anyone? Fearless Improv is back this Friday. Come out to The Delaware Contemporary for an hour of laughs with some of the funniest people in Wilmington. As always, it’ll be unpredictable, interactive, and a bit bawdy. Tickets are $20 and available here. Another show is scheduled for May 13.

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