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Animal Style Tacos was more than just a business; it was another way Leonard brought people together and shared something he loved.

Leonard Patino Jr. was born on November 24, 1979, at Torrance Memorial Hospital to his mother, Alicia Gomez Patino. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Salina Patino; his four children, Leonardo Patino III, Armando Patino, Alina Feliz Patino, and Leylina Candy Patino; his father, Leonardo Patino Sr.; and his sister, Gina Patino.

If you knew Leo, you knew he was one of the hardest-working people out there. He passed away as an active member of Local 13, a position he was incredibly proud of and worked so hard to achieve.

Before becoming a member of the ILWU, Leonard attended Universal Technical Institute, where he earned an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Automotive Technology, specializing in gasoline and diesel engines. He put his education and skills to work at FedEx as a Ground Support Equipment Technician and forklift technician. He also worked at Penske Truck Leasing and H.P. Communications.

While working his different jobs, Leonard was also always finding another way to work hard and provide for his family. In 2008, he started Animal Style Tacos, becoming a taquero and creating a business that would become another huge part of his life. This was how so many people came to know and love him. His friends would hire him for his delicious al pastor tacos and, of course, Leona’s famous mango salsa. Animal Style Tacos was more than just a business; it was another way Leonard brought people together and shared something he loved with the people around him.

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He had a gift for working with his hands, solving problems, and helping anyone who needed him.

But the job Leonard was known for most—and the reason so many people knew and loved him—was being the backyard mechanic. If something needed to be fixed, Leo was the person people called. He had a gift for working with his hands, solving problems, and helping anyone who needed him.

Even while working at the Port of Los Angeles as a member of Local 13, Leonard continued to push himself and further his education. He attended the Southern California Institute of Technology, where he earned his diploma in Industrial Automation Technology He continued working while going to school, because Leonard never stopped learning, working, or looking for ways to better himself and provide for his family.

Everyone loves to tell his family how proud Leonard was of his children and his Leona. They were what he talked about, what he posted about, and what meant the most to him. But I don’t think he ever truly understood just how proud his wife and children were of him.

Leonard was also the best baseball coach any of us could have ever had. He began coaching Leonardo and Armando in 2008 and went on to coach all four of his children. The lessons he taught us on the baseball field were about so much more than baseball. He taught us how to work

hard, how to keep going, how to be a team, and how to never give up. Those are lessons we still carry with us today.

There was never a time when Leonard wasn’t working hard. In 2020, Leonard suffered his first heart attack. He worked through it, recovered, and kept going. His Leona was by his side through it all. He continued working and continued providing for his family, no matter how difficult things became.

A few years later, on March 3, 2023, Leonard passed his probation and officially became a member of Local 13. It was an accomplishment he was incredibly proud of.

That same year, in September, Leonard was hospitalized again because of his heart. Someone once said, “I’ve never seen Leonard lose a fight. This was the first one he’s lost.”

But he didn’t lose that fight.

He gave his family and his friends three more years. They weren’t always easy. There were hospital stays, difficult days, and moments when things seemed uncertain. But Leonard never, ever gave up.

He continued working even while he was sick. He would double back almost every day, doing everything he could to keep working and providing for his family. He worked so hard that he was on track to be promoted to an A Book in March.

And with that, I don’t believe Leonard ever lost his fight.

Animal won this fight.

He won because he kept fighting until his final breath. He won because he never stopped being a father, a husband, a coach, a taquero, a mechanic, a provider, and a friend. He won because he left behind a family who will carry everything he taught them for the rest of their lives.

Leonard had an impact on everyone he ever met. Whether you knew him as Leo, Leonard, Animal, Coach, Dad, the backyard mechanic, or the man behind Animal Style Tacos, you knew someone special.

He will be missed more than words can explain.

We all love you, Leonard.

Rest peacefully, Animal.