Lessons learned from Leo: Remembering Bel Air Police Chief Leo Matrangola

Bel Air Police Chief Chief Leo F. Matrangola

(July 18, 1952 – July 12, 2015):

Seen here at the 2012 Christmas parade on Main Street in Bel Air, the Chief was

riding Jeannie Schick’s horse Dirk. (Photo: Bob and Jeannie Schick)

—

Today would have been the 63rd birthday of Leo Matrangola. He served as Chief of Police in Bel Air from 1991 until his battle with leukemia led to a medical leave of absence last October. The Chief passed on to Eternal Life this past Sunday. Flags have flown at half-mast all week in his memory.

After attending grade school at St. Margaret’s in Bel Air, Leo was a member of the Class of 1970 at The John Carroll School. He entered the Baltimore County Police Department as a cadet after his high school graduation. This led to a 45-year career in law enforcement, first in Baltimore County and then in the Town of Bel Air.

A role model and youth mentor:

Leo dedicated his life to doing good for the community and being a mentor and role model to our youth. I knew him for more than four decades. He and his family lived down the road from my parents for years, and we also enjoyed a long relationship through our John Carroll connection. He was a gem.

Selfless and kind-hearted, Leo had a great smile and always asked about the well-being of others. And he believed in promoting programs and efforts to showcase our community’s youth.

Reflections by a young family friend:

Martha Schick of the John Carroll Class of 2013, is now a Journalism major at Emerson College, Class of 2017.

She shares some great memories and lessons learned from Leo:

“Growing up, Leo and Diane have been like another set of grandparents to me. I have a picture of me, about three years old, sitting on one of Diane’s horses while wearing Leo’s giant cowboy hat and grinning…

Martha Schick shares a passion for horses with the Matrangola Family:

(Photo circa 1998: The Schick Family)

“It doesn’t really feel like Christmas to me until I have one of Diane’s chocolates and talk to Leo at their annual party about the latest thing I’m trying to accomplish. And whenever I got to see them, I’d get more big hugs and “We’re so proud of you” exclamations than I could count.

“I can’t talk about Leo and Diane separately because they were the perfect couple. Every interaction they had – whether with each other, with me, or with their animals – was filled with love. They completed each other so effortlessly, and made everyone around them feel complete by extension. I know now, at 20 years old, that if I can find someone who loves me as wholly and strongly as Leo and Diane loved each other, I will have been blessed beyond belief.

“I got to FaceTime with Leo from Boston during his last week. He was funny, a little bit irreverent, and still so concerned with how I was doing… in other words, completely Leo.

“He talked to me about my living arrangements next year, offering advice. He gave me the number of a colleague who could give me an internship. He joked with me about politics. And we ended the phone call with an “I love you.” That was him.

“I don’t remember a time when he wasn’t trying to help me, whether it was through advice or help getting me out of my first parking ticket. I don’t remember a conversation that wasn’t full of jokes and his throaty laugh. And I don’t remember ever feeling unloved.

“Leo was not my relative by blood, but I will never be able to separate him from growing up, and I don’t want to. He was fully devoted to everything in his life – Diane, his family, his friends, his job – in ways every person should aspire to be.

“And to everyone out there, still walking on this earth: look out. Now that I’ve known someone as wonderful as Leo, you all have a lot to live up to.”

–Martha Schick

——-

Police Chief Leo Matrangola died last Sunday: He would have been 63 today.

(Aegis file photo/ The Baltimore Sun)

In Memoriam:

A public memorial service for Chief Matrangola is planned for August 22, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe Street, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.

Arrangements are being handled by McComas Funeral Home.