John P. Leonard, in Duxbury, passed away on March 8, 2012 at the age of 79.
John was born and raised in Belmont, a graduate of Boston College (1954) and served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. He was employed by MIT for 32 years before retiring in 1988 as an Associate Comptroller. He was an elected Town Meeting Member in Belmont for 7 years before moving to Duxbury in 1969. Duxbury was a special place for him having spent his childhood summers there. While in Duxbury, he was elected to the Board of Assessors in 1972 and served 5 years before being elected to the Board of Selectman where he served for 9 years, 7 as chairman. He was a Director of the Duxbury Beach Reservation for over 25 years, was its Treasurer for 20 years and remained a trustee until his death. He was a member of CURA VNA including 2 years as the Board’s President. He was a member of the Holy Family Parish Council for 7 years and served on the parish Finance Committee for 17 years. He received the President’s Call of Service Award in 2007.
John was the beloved husband of Catherine V. (Garrity) of Duxbury and father of Stephen and Li-Mei of Wellesley, Christine Crea and Robert of Rockland, Eileen Simon and Thomas of Torrington, CT, Michael and Cynthia of Essex Junction, VT and Mark and Amy of Groton. Brother of Martha Trask of Westwood and Sr. Ann Frederick of St. Catharine, KY. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main Street, (Route 106), Kingston, on Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 2:00-6:00 PM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Holy Family Church, 601 Tremont Street, Duxbury, on Monday March 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM.
Interment will follow at the Mayflower Cemetery, Tremont Street, Duxbury.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to the Dominican Sisters, Sansbury Care Center, 2645 Bardstown Road, Saint Catharine, KY 40061.