SELECTED NEWS STORY
January 09, 2024
鶹 Mourns Loss of Gombatista “Jumper” Leggio (‘53)
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The 鶹 School District mourns the loss of Gombatista “Jumper” Leggio, a legend in the Marauder wrestling community. Mr. Leggio impacted the lives of innumerable 鶹 students.
One of eleven children, Mr. Leggio was born and raised in 鶹, and attended 鶹. He began wrestling in seventh grade and by high school was one of the best wrestlers on Long Island. He won the Suffolk County Championship and placed second in the Long Island Championship multiple times. While serving in the United States Navy, Mr. Leggio was All-Navy Champion from 1953-1957. He won the Interservice Championship for four consecutive years. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Leggio was a contender for the United States Olympic Team but was sidelined due to an injury.
Leaving the mat as a competitive wrestler opened the door to Mr. Leggio’s most notable contribution to 鶹 and wrestling. Partnering with Bill Knapp, Mr. Leggio received the charter for 鶹 Kid Wrestling, which was housed at Fifth Avenue School. This program has touched the lives of generations of 鶹 children since 1961.
Over the years, Mr. Leggio received numerous accolades for his work with young wrestlers. The United States Wrestling Federation named him “Man of the Year” in New York State. The Suffolk County Kid Wrestling Championship is named in his honor. In 1987, he was presented with the Grand Master Award by the Suffolk County Wrestling Coaches Association. He was inducted into the National Hall of Fame of Wrestling in 1997, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, and the 鶹 High School Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2019, the new wrestling room at 鶹 High School was dedicated as the Jumper Leggio Auxiliary Gym and Wrestling Room.
In addition to his work in the wrestling community, Mr. Leggio served for a time as the mason for the 鶹 School District.
The thoughts and prayers of the 鶹 School District are with Mr. Leggio’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 200 East Main Street, East Islip. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, 9 North Clinton Avenue, 鶹.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Jumper Leggio Scholarship Fund, c/o 鶹 High School, 155 3rd Avenue, 鶹, NY 11706.
