Leonard E. Cirillo, 84, of Worcester, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Clark University, died Sunday, December 20, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He leaves his wife of 58 years, Priscilla A. (Lane) Cirillo; three children, Julie Egli and her husband Randy of Holden, Michael Cirillo and his wife Bertha Elena Rojas of Paxton, and Amy Cirillo and her husband Michael Tocci of Holden. He also leaves five grandchildren, Timothy and Will Egli, Aiden Cirillo, and Matthew and Daniel Lyubchik.

Len was born in the Bronx in New York City in 1936, the son of Arthur E. and Ann (Tremsky) Cirillo.

He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx in 1954, from the City College of New York in 1958, then pursued graduate training in psychology at Clark University from 1958 until 1963. He taught at the University of Denver for two years before being awarded a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Clark University in 1965. Len then taught at Yeshiva University for three years before joining the psychology faculty at Clark, teaching there for 33 years. He also wrote numerous academic articles and edited books in his field, including Emotions in Ideal Human Development and Value Presuppositions in Theories of Human Development. During his career at Clark, he was chair of the Psychology Department for several years and rose to the rank of full professor before retiring in 2002.

In addition to teaching, Len had a clinical psychology practice in Worcester for many years. He was a member of the American Psychological Association.

Len enjoyed cooking and gardening. He loved traveling with his wife, Priscilla. He found a new hobby later in life: learning and conversing in Italian. He was a voracious reader and a jazz, opera, and classical music aficionado.

Due to gathering limitations of the Covid pandemic, a memorial service is planned for next year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at: Friends of Dana-Farber, 450 Brookline Ave., SW120, Boston, MA 02215.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.