- Date Of Death: December 6, 2019
- State: Maine
John Francis Leonard III
Woolwich- “Jack” Leonard lived a wonderful life and was dauntless in his 4 year battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. He passed peacefully at home on December 6th under the loving care of his wife of nearly 50 years, Margaret. Jack was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1948 to John and Adele Leonard. He was the eldest of their seven children and was raised in Horseheads, NY. It was a blessing and a privilege for Jack to be born into such a large, loving, and supportive family. Jack was bestowed with many gifts, both academic and athletic. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Elmira, NY, where he was an honor student and standout 3-sport athlete who had exceptional success with football. He was awarded the Ernie Davis Award in high school. Jack graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where he played football for the Crusaders graduating with a degree in Political Science. Jack always valued his Jesuit, Catholic education. After graduation he was invited to tryout with the San Diego Chargers. With a strong desire to serve his country, Jack was accepted to the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL. He became a pilot, flying the P3 Orion. He was a plane Commander in VP-11 and VP-92. Jack served his country during times of peace and in times of conflict. He was also assigned to teach for the Navy at the Newport Education and Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island. He retired at the rank of Commander after serving with honor for 26 years. Jack cherished memories of flying and of lasting friendships forged during his military service. Jack and his family lived for 17 years in Newport, where Jack worked as a consultant for KPMG. He also received his MBA at Bryant University in RI. Wonderful, lifelong friends were discovered on Aquidneck Island and many adventures were spent out on the water; Jack sailed and raced the Shields class out of Ida Lewis Yacht Club, as well as cruised Narragansett Bay with family and friends.
Everyone who knew or met Jack, understood him to be a person of character and integrity. His moral compass, his dedication to family and friends, and his strong faith never wavered.
Jack is lovingly remembered by his wife, Maggie Leonard, his daughter Martha Delay and her husband Michael (Newbury, MA), his daughter Amy Muriti and her husband Guy (Sydney, Australia), and his son, John F. Leonard IV (Portland, Maine). There are also 4 grandchildren who learned so much from their “Grandpa Jack”. Ryan, Maggie, Lauren, and Jack will carry on their grandfather’s legacy of selflessness, kindness, and courage.
While a patient at Dana-Farber in Boston and some days having to walk past the children’s clinic Jack would often remark how hopeful he was for researchers to advance progress toward finding a complete cure for childhood cancer.
