Leo Edward Denlea Jr.
1932 - 2025
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Leo Edward Denlea Jr. was born March 7th, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in Flatbush and told many stories of playing football, stickball, soccer, and hockey in the streets and on the grass fields across from Coney Island with a diverse group of friends. Leo attended Our Lady Help of Christians School in Midwood where one of the nuns identified him and two other boys as destined to attend tuition-free Regis High School, a fully endowed Jesuit school in Manhattan. She required them to stay after school each day to provide them additional lessons.
After graduating Regis, Leo entered Villanova University and applied for a Naval ROTC scholarship to cover his tuition. During his first summer cruise he served aboard the USS Missouri, famous for hosting the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender in WWII. One of his daily tasks was cleaning the plaque marking the site of the signing with a toothbrush.
Graduating from Villanova in 1954 with a degree in economics and accounting, Leo went to sea, spending most of his active duty on the destroyer USS William M. Wood in the Mediterranean. While ashore back home, he encountered his future wife, Nancy Burkley, in an officer's club with her father, who was a captain in the Navy at the time. Pretending to be active sonar, Leo "pinged" on Nancy and was thrown out of the club by his future father-in-law.
Following his Navy service, Leo utilized the GI Bill to earn an MBA from the Wharton school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1958. He married Nancy soon after and embarked on a career as a financial analyst for Mobile Oil. Leo next joined the International Basic Economy Corporation, a Nelson Rockefeller endeavor tasked with stimulating the economies of underdeveloped countries. After starting an analysis group, Leo began to travel as a global business consultant to help troubleshoot and inspect IBEC's investments. He assisted with textile mills in Thailand, home building in Central America, farming across South America, and many other ventures in Europe.
In 1973, Leo accepted a job as Treasurer at Pacific Lighting which at that time supplied much of the natural gas to Southern California. The family relocated to the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Leo ultimately joined Farmers Insurance Group in 1981 as Vice President of Corporate and Financial Planning. He was named President in 1985 and then Chairman and CEO in 1986. In 1988, Farmers was faced with a hostile takeover attempt by BATUS, the American subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT). The takeover fight lasted 8 months but resulted in a final purchase price of $5.2 billion, $1 billion more than the original offer. It was the largest business acquisition in California history at the time. Leo worked to retain the structure and people at Farmers which was key to the financial success that Farmers achieved until his retirement in 1997. During this time, Leo also served on the boards of BAT, Alexander and Baldwin, and was a trustee of the House Ear Institute.
Shortly after retirement, Leo's wife, Nancy, was diagnosed with colon cancer. This led to fighting the disease for several years and also the start of bi-annual family reunions with his children and their families. Nancy passed away in 2002.
Leo's Catholic faith was very important to him. Each day he would rise early to attend 6:30am Mass before heading to the office. As he became less mobile in retirement, he watched Mass daily and added in 3-4 extra sermons for thought. He enjoyed praying the rosary daily and his faith brought him much peace as his health faded. Philanthropy was another important passion, though his donations were generally discreet and he did not desire recognition for them.
Leo passed away peacefully the evening of October 8, 2025. He is predeceased by his wife, Nancy, and son, Gregory; and is survived by his children, Leo, Thomas, Kathryn (Kubasak), Nancy, Rita, and Philip, as well as 16 grandchildren and 5 great-granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Leo's favored charities: Glenmary Home Missioners (https://glenmary.org/) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/).
After graduating Regis, Leo entered Villanova University and applied for a Naval ROTC scholarship to cover his tuition. During his first summer cruise he served aboard the USS Missouri, famous for hosting the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender in WWII. One of his daily tasks was cleaning the plaque marking the site of the signing with a toothbrush.
Graduating from Villanova in 1954 with a degree in economics and accounting, Leo went to sea, spending most of his active duty on the destroyer USS William M. Wood in the Mediterranean. While ashore back home, he encountered his future wife, Nancy Burkley, in an officer's club with her father, who was a captain in the Navy at the time. Pretending to be active sonar, Leo "pinged" on Nancy and was thrown out of the club by his future father-in-law.
Following his Navy service, Leo utilized the GI Bill to earn an MBA from the Wharton school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1958. He married Nancy soon after and embarked on a career as a financial analyst for Mobile Oil. Leo next joined the International Basic Economy Corporation, a Nelson Rockefeller endeavor tasked with stimulating the economies of underdeveloped countries. After starting an analysis group, Leo began to travel as a global business consultant to help troubleshoot and inspect IBEC's investments. He assisted with textile mills in Thailand, home building in Central America, farming across South America, and many other ventures in Europe.
In 1973, Leo accepted a job as Treasurer at Pacific Lighting which at that time supplied much of the natural gas to Southern California. The family relocated to the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Leo ultimately joined Farmers Insurance Group in 1981 as Vice President of Corporate and Financial Planning. He was named President in 1985 and then Chairman and CEO in 1986. In 1988, Farmers was faced with a hostile takeover attempt by BATUS, the American subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT). The takeover fight lasted 8 months but resulted in a final purchase price of $5.2 billion, $1 billion more than the original offer. It was the largest business acquisition in California history at the time. Leo worked to retain the structure and people at Farmers which was key to the financial success that Farmers achieved until his retirement in 1997. During this time, Leo also served on the boards of BAT, Alexander and Baldwin, and was a trustee of the House Ear Institute.
Shortly after retirement, Leo's wife, Nancy, was diagnosed with colon cancer. This led to fighting the disease for several years and also the start of bi-annual family reunions with his children and their families. Nancy passed away in 2002.
Leo's Catholic faith was very important to him. Each day he would rise early to attend 6:30am Mass before heading to the office. As he became less mobile in retirement, he watched Mass daily and added in 3-4 extra sermons for thought. He enjoyed praying the rosary daily and his faith brought him much peace as his health faded. Philanthropy was another important passion, though his donations were generally discreet and he did not desire recognition for them.
Leo passed away peacefully the evening of October 8, 2025. He is predeceased by his wife, Nancy, and son, Gregory; and is survived by his children, Leo, Thomas, Kathryn (Kubasak), Nancy, Rita, and Philip, as well as 16 grandchildren and 5 great-granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Leo's favored charities: Glenmary Home Missioners (https://glenmary.org/) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/).
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