Leo Ott OBITUARY

February 8, 1934 – June 26, 2024. Leo Ott was surrounded by family when he passed away on June 26, 2024, after a 2-month battle with leukemia. He lived a full and happy 90 years.On February 8, 1934, Leo became the first born of 5 children to Leo and Nina (Marchy) Ott in Shaffhausen, Switzerland. He knew hard work from the start, living on a farm alongside the family’s restaurant, Morgensonne in Batershausen. In October 1954, age 20, with immigrations papers accepted, Leo boarded a ship to New York then a flight to San Francisco. He worked at various dairies in the valley prior to being drafted into the US Army in 1958.After his 2-year duty, he chose to work for a Swiss man in the Bay Area doing landscaping. He eagerly learned about plants, irrigation, concrete work, rockwork and much more and liked this field of work. Throughout his life he was all about hard work and good times. He loved to dance and could be found at the Swiss Club in Newark or in Ripon, the German Club in San Jose, however it was at the Italian Club in Mtn. View that he met Charlene Pool. On June 30, 1962, they were married and soon after started a family, Ed in 1963 and Cathy in 1964. The following year he started his own business, Leo Ott Landscape. He found his niche doing commercial landscape for Peery/Arrillaga in Silicon Valley. The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) became a close-knit community they thoroughly enjoyed well beyond his retirement.When time permitted and especially after retirement Leo enjoyed traveling, golf, playing Jass and other card games, attending Swiss events, working on projects and helping others. Charlene kept him very busy with tasks, travel and opening their home to family and friends. Leo is well known for his easy-going personality, the twinkle in his eye, his strong hands, unending work ethic, and the 5:00 gin & tonic that he would pour for any visitor. Leo was preceded in death his brother Joe Ott (2007) and sister Antoinette Born (2024). He is survived by wife Charlene married almost 62 years, son Ed (Michelle), daughter Cathy (Tim), grandchildren Emily, Jonathan and Sarah, sisters Elsy Bartsch and Erika Ott, and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 18th at 11:00 AM Saint Williams Church 611 S. El Monte Ave., Los Altos, followed by a celebration of life luncheon in the adjacent hall.