Leo John Wagner, 88, of Lincoln, RI, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 3, 2015. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to the late Mary J. (Sacchetti) Wagner who died in 2011.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on June 29, 1926, he was the son of the late Leo A. and Lillian F. (Klein) Wagner. He was a 1944 graduate of G.A.R. Memorial Junior/Senior High School.  He moved to Rhode Island, after serving in the United States Navy, as a Seabees cook. 

Mr. Wagner moved his family to Lincoln in 1957, where he has enjoyed living these past 58 years. He loved nature, especially bird watching, travel, entertaining, fireworks and a great party. But most of all, he adored his “girls,” as he affectionately called his wife & three daughters.

Mr. Wagner was employed as the Head Chef for the Hope Club in Providence for 38 years prior to his retirement.  Earlier in his long career as a chef, he worked as a cook for the Biltmore Hotel, managed the Le Foyer Club, was Interim Manager of the Hope Club and also was a member of the Club Manager’s Association.  In 1953, Chef Wagner also had the honor of cooking for President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s Newport wedding.

He was actively involved in town politics and was a member of the Lincoln Democratic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Centennial Committee. He also served on the Lincoln Planning Board and as Town Water Commissioner.

Mr. Wagner was Chaplain, Adjutant and Commander of the American Legion Fairlawn Post #42, as well as President of the Pawtucket Veteran’s Council. He also belonged to the 40 and 8, V.F.W., F.O.P. of Lincoln, and Knights of Columbus.

He was a long-time communicant of Saint Jude Church, Lincoln, where we was actively involved. Whether it was serving on the church council, manning the food booth, making his famous chowder & clam cakes for the church fair, serving as an usher, or counting money after Mass, he was very devoted to his church and faith.

Mr. Wagner is survived by his three daughters: Jean E. Armstrong and her husband Dennis Armstrong, of Northbridge, MA, Patti  Wagner-Miller and her husband Walter D. Miller, of North Attleboro, MA, and Donna Herbrand and her husband John Herbrand, of Santa Fe, NM; four grandsons: Michael  Armstrong, Miles C. Miller, Jeffrey Herbrand and Erik Herbrand; four great grandchildren: Jaykob, Riley, Ashley and Casey Herbrand;  a sister: Dorothy Simon of Wilkes Barre, PA, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was the brother of the late Robert Wagner.

His funeral will be held on Thursday at 8:45 am from the Lincoln Funeral Home, 1501 Lonsdale Ave., Lincoln followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Jude Church, 301 Front St., Lincoln.  Burial with Military honors will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.  Friends and family are cordially invited to attend visitation on Wednesday, April 8 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to Saint Jude Parish Outreach Program.                                                                  

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Lincoln Funeral Home
1501 Lonsdale Avenue
Lincoln, RI 02865
401-726-4117

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