James Leone: “I hope that my legacy is going to influence the lives of many students … not only in their career, but in their home life and their families.”

Gift Plan: Bequest

James Leone, a lifelong teacher, is a firm believer in the educational mission of Christendom College. Deeply impressed by the College’s faithfulness to the Church and the care it takes in educating its students, James has decided that he wants his legacy to be a part of Christendom’s noble mission. Thanks to thoughtful planning, James’s generosity and impact will carry on at Christendom for years to come. 

James was born and raised in West Tampa, Florida, and is delighted to still call it home today. Both of James’s parents were of Italian descent, and he grew up in a home full of rich Italian heritage and tradition. After graduating from Florida State University, he dedicated his life to studying and teaching music. James earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from FSU and subsequently taught in public elementary and junior high schools for 38 years where he shared his passion for music with students in a variety of classes—including instrumental, orchestra, and chorus. While James started out playing clarinet and then piano, he began learning the organ in order to play for his parish. James has been his parish’s organist for decades, and he continues to pursue his passion for teaching as a substitute music teacher for both his church and local schools. 

A lifelong teacher, James recognizes the impact of a Christendom education. Speaking of Christendom, he notes, “The students that went there and how their lives were so changed—that made me very, very inspired.” When he first read about Christendom, he was deeply struck by the College’s history and mission. He loved how the Christendom curriculum honors and passes on the traditions and heritage of the Catholic Church and Western civilization. He realized what a difference supporting the College could make in the lives of young Catholics and future Catholic leaders. In his words, “I was just sold on that.” A teacher’s role is to help form the next generation, and James will continue his role as teacher by making an impact on young students through Christendom’s mission. 

Although he has never set foot on the Christendom campus, James was so moved by the important work of the College and its impact on young Catholic men and women, that he has been—from the first time he heard of it—a dedicated supporter of Christendom. While he has made yearly contributions for decades, James wanted to ensure that his legacy included a lasting gift to Christendom. He decided to include Christendom College in his last will and testament so that he can continue to help educate future Catholic leaders. 

By writing his will and providing for charitable causes that are important to him and that speak to his deeply held values, James is able to ensure that his estate serves institutions that do good and uphold the truth—such as Christendom College. For James, the choice to include Christendom in his will made perfect sense because of the educational work the College is doing. He knows that even when he is gone, Christendom can be counted upon to be faithful to the traditions and teachings of the Church and pass them down as long as it exists: “I trust the mission of Christendom College—that in itself I feel is very successful,” he notes. 

His dream is that this legacy gift will help support the education of young men and women not just now but for years to come. “I hope that it’s going to influence the lives of many students,” he says. “And not only in their career but in their home life and their families.”