Leo J. Kammerer

KAMMERER, Leo J. passed away peacefully on Saturday April 29, 2023, 11 weeks after his beloved wife, Suzanne Kammerer (Nee Mathews) passed away.  He was 84 years old.  Loving father of J. Bradley, David (Kathy), Jonathan (Kathleen), Andrew (Jen), Lee J. (Liz), Timothy, Michael (Lauren), Mary Grace (Brian) Faigle, and the late Matthew Kammerer.  Father-in-Law of Lisa Kammerer. Devoted grandfather of 25: Lauren, Margaret, Gabrielle, Matthew II, Adam, Jack, Ryan, Samantha, Gabe, Katelyn, Jonathan Jr., Emily, Caroline, Andrew, Kaelyn, Ava, Ella, Will, Jaxon, Christopher, Sydney, Owen, Max, Luke, and Henry.  Dear brother of the late Mary Ann Meany. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Leo was born in Dayton, KY November 8, 1938.  Nicknamed “Butch” at a young age, he came from humble beginnings, and he developed his strong work ethic at a young age.  He put himself through high school at St. Xavier, working before and after school every day and eventually was able to save enough money to attend Xavier University.  He went on to earn his Masters in Banking.  Leo worked as a bank examiner for 30+ years, working with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Reserve.  His career required a significant amount of travel, often being gone five days a week. But when he wasn’t traveling, he was a family man, preferring to spend most of his free time at home or attending one of his children’s sporting events, including the dreaded all-weekend swim meets.  Leo was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened; when he gave his opinion, it mattered; and when he laughed, it was as if you moved mountains.

Leo loved horse racing and you knew exactly where he was headed when he said “I’m going out for a while”.  He loved cigars, bowling, and cheap beer, and was an outspoken critic of George Grande and peanut oil.  He loved listening to Frank Sinatra and watching sit-coms. He loved the Cincinnati Reds and Xavier Musketeers.  He loved cards, teaching his kids at a young age to play poker, and playing bridge with his wife Sue, and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Mary almost every Saturday night.  He loved cards so much, that upon retirement with the FDIC, he became a blackjack dealer at Argosy Casino.  However, this was short-lived when he was scheduled to work on Christmas Day, and he called to resign just before the sun came up, as we were up all night around our kitchen table playing Texas Holdem and Pai Gow Poker.  But more than anything else, Leo loved his family.  He devoted his life to Suzanne, his wife of 60 years, and their strong work ethic, catholic faith, and loyalty were the foundations with which they raised their nine children.  Their children and grandchildren will proudly carry on the Kammerer legacy. 

We would like to thank Hospice of Cincinnati for caring for our parents during the final months of their lives. 

Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Antoninus Church 1500 Linneman Rd. on Monday May 8^th at 10:30am.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior starting at 9:30am.  Celebration will follow.  Memorials can be made to St. Xavier High School (tuition assistance) 600 W. North Bend Rd Cincinnati, OH 45224 or to Hospice of Cincinnati 4360 Cooper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242.