The Altieris: Newlyweds as of New Year's Eve

Resident Feature by Liz Burnett

Wedding photos by Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

What if you went to a New Year’s Eve Party and woke up the next morning married and heading away on your honeymoon? That’s exactly what some young Newtown Square neighbors, Leonard and Franca Altieri, intentionally did recently when they rang in 2020. We’re delighted that as they finished preparing for their wedding, they took some time to share their story with us.

Bride Franca Tavella Altieri and Groom Leonard Altieri after their wedding at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Philadelphia

Photo courtesy of Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

Leonard was 9 when his family moved to Newtown Square from Prospect Park in 1999. He attended Saint Anastasia School, and graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 2008. For all four years at MNHS, Leonard was President of his class. He also worked part-time at the Acme, and was named “Cashier of the Year” for 2008.

Meanwhile, Franca Tavella was growing up in South Philadelphia, where she attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, and Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School. During high school, Franca wrote for the school newspaper, and was a member of the Italian Club and the National Honor Society. Franca also worked every Saturday and summers in an Italian luncheonette her mother owned (Vincenzo’s Deli in South Philly). This is how Franca learned to cook, something she still enjoys doing. Many people in her family also worked there and Franca continued working there every Saturday until her mother sold the business and retired in 2015. Franca fondly says “the deli” is very special to everyone in her family.

For college, Leonard attended West Chester University, and graduated in 2012, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Latin American Studies. Franca attended St. Joseph’s University, and graduated cum laude in 2010 with a B.A. in History with a concentration in Business.

In the Fall of 2013, Leonard and Franca were both first-semester students at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law. They met in Torts class. “Torts is basically a class about slip and falls,” Leonard said, “So I always joke that Franca slipped and fell into my heart.” They started dating in Spring 2014. As their romance developed during law school, Franca completed two co-op internships and also participated in the Estate Planning Pro Bono Clinic. Also during law school, Leonard was elected for the first time to the Marple Newtown School Board. In 2016, they both graduated and received their Juris Doctor ( J.D. ) degree.

Franca considers Leonard’s marriage proposal in 2018 as “the BEST engagement EVER!” Knowing that she’s a HUGE Rocky fan, Leonard proposed at the Philadelphia Art Museum, in front of the Rocky statue, by quoting Rocky’s proposal to Adrian (in Rocky II).

Leonard Altieri proposing to Franca Tavella at the Philadelphia Art Museum's Rocky statue

Photo courtesy of Michele Moran Photography www.MicheleMoranPhotography.com

Leonard and Franca’s wedding on New Year’s Eve forever joined together the Altieri and Tavella families. They were married at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Philadelphia, where Franca made all of her sacraments and where her paternal grandparents were married in 1951. Leonard’s pastor from St. Anastasia, Fr. Colagreco, concelebrated the Mass with Franca’s pastor, Fr. Martorano.

The Altieri-Tavella Wedding Party

Photo courtesy of Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

The Groom’s proud parents, Leonard and Cheryl Altieri, still live in the same Newtown Square house on Valley View Lane where Leonard and his sister Brittany grew up. Brittany Altieri Naab now lives in West Chester. She is Co-Owner of Newtown Square’s Blush Salon, along with her Valley View Lane neighbor and childhood friend Michele Quinn.

The Bride’s proud parents, Gary and Susan Tavella, lived in South Philadelphia for 60 years before relocating to Ventnor, New Jersey. Franca’s brother, Justin is an electrician who owns his own business, He, his wife and their three daughters currently live in South Philadelphia.

Franca and Leonard Altieri kiss during a midnight New Year's Eve balloon drop and champagne toast

Photo courtesy of Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

The reception at Cescaphe Vie in Center City included some surprises for their guests: A midnight balloon drop and champagne toast and… a performance by the world-famous Fralinger String Band!

Bride and Groom Franca and Leonard Altieri with members of the Fralinger String Band

Photo courtesy of Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

The newlyweds’ honeymoon in French Polynesia included staying in an overwater bungalow and swimming with stingrays.

Newlyweds Leonard & Franca Altieri on their honeymoon

Photo courtesy of Leonard & Franca Altieri

Leonard is currently a licenced attorney in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. Since October 2018, he has been a private practice attorney at the law firm of Toscani & Gillin, P.C. “I enjoy finding solutions to my client’s issues and helping them achieve their ultimate goal,” Leonard said when we asked what he finds most interesting or satisfying about his work.

Franca is currently a licensed attorney in PA, and works for Kleinbard LLC in Center City Philadelphia. She focuses her practice on tax and estates (estate planning, trust and estate administration, guardianships). “The part of my work I find most interesting and fulfilling,” said Franca, “is meeting with many different people, learning more about their background, their families, and their goals, and then helping them plan for the next generation.” Franca’s J.D. degree is a requirement for a career goal she may pursue: a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Taxation.

Leonard and Franca have made it a priority to volunteer in service to their communities. From 2013-2018, Leonard was a member of the Newtown Township Planning Commission, and a member of the Marple Newtown School Board 2013-2019. In November, he was elected to the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, and began his term of office in January. He also served beyond his local community, as Campaign Coordinator for former Pennsylvania State Senate Majority Leader Dominic F. Pileggi (2010- 2013). And in 2010, former Gov. Ed Rendell nominated Leonard and the Pennsylvania State Senate confirmed him to serve a two-year term on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Franca also gives back to several communities: She’s a member of VIP, a Philadelphia nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to low-income individuals. As a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, she serves as Co-Chair of the Orphans’ Court Rules and Practice Committee. She’s also a member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council, and she volunteers to help St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church with their Annual Italian Festival.

Franca lived in South Philly until after their wedding and honeymoon, when she moved into the Newtown Square home she and Leonard purchased a year ago. “I’ll certainly miss living in the East Passyunk neighborhood where I’ve lived for 30 years,” said Franca. “But I’m excited to see what the future — and Newtown Square — have in store for us!”

Leonard and Franca’s home is in the Newtown Heights section of Newtown Square. “It’s a great family neighborhood, with lots of young couples like ourselves, recently married and starting families,” said Leonard. “It gives you a true neighborhood and community feeling when you see kids riding bikes, playing in the yards, and walking to NELL games and practices,” he added. “Yes, this neighborhood is one of the reasons Leonard ran for Township Supervisor, to ensure the next generation of children have just as good — and an even better — childhood in Newtown Square!” Franca explained.

Leonard and Franca look forward to their favorite spare-time activities. For Leonard, it’s biking and reading, especially history books. For Franca, it’s yoga, walking the Ridley Creek State Park trails with Leonard, and playing with her two black labradors. And some traveling, especially every summer, to visit Leonard’s uncle and his family in Martha’s Vineyard.

Newlyweds Leonard and Franca Altieri at their downtown Philly wedding reception

Photo courtesy of Martin Reardon Photography www.MartinReardonPhoto.com

As these newlyweds begin this new chapter of their lives, they do so with gratitude to their loving and supportive families, which Franca and Leonard know without a doubt have provided the firm foundation for their lives together. They both know that family is at the root of everything. And now they have created the new roots of their family tree.

Reader Leaders: Tell us about your family, friends and neighbors whom readers of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors would like to read about in an upcoming issue. Email Liz Burnett at LBurnett@BestVersionMedia.com.