Carlton R. Leonard

Carlton R. Leonard 1945 - 2008 BENNINGTON Carlton Richard Leonard, 62, of Harrison Avenue passed away peacefully Saturday morning, Aug. 16, 2008 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in North Adams, Mass., on Sept. 20, 1945, the son of Charles and Renie M Rhodes Leonard, he attended schools there and in Williamstown, Mass. Carlton worked at Bijur Lubricating Corporation from 1977 until 1998 and then Stanley Tools in Shaftsbury. He was a past member of the Bennington Sheriff's Department, where he worked as a Sheriff's Deputy Patrol Assistant for the Vermont State Police from 1980 until 1994. He was also an avid walker, a motorcycle enthusiast, enjoyed woodworking, and was very passionate about the Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg. He leaves his beloved wife Jayne of 18 years, whom he married Aug. 31, 1990, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church; his children, Mark Leonard; Gary Leonard and his wife, Kim, of Bennington; Bill Michael and his wife, Esther, of Washington State; Michelle Smith and her husband, Bob, of Bath, Maine; Marc Michael of Maryland; Nicole Pituch and her husband, Vance, and Andrew Michael of Tennessee; 17 grandchildren with whom he enjoyed spending time; his sisters, Etta Harris, and Rose Darling and her husband, Ken; and his brothers, Steve Leonard and his wife, Linda, and Bill Leonard and his wife ,Patty. FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside services for Carlton will be Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at 11 a.m. in the family lot in Oakhill Cemetery in Pownal. Rector Anita Schell-Lambert of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bennington will conduct the service. There will be no visiting hours. If friends desire, gifts in Carlton's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice, or the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Care Center, c/o of HANSON-WALBRIDGE FUNERAL HOME, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Bennington for their caring support. To send the family personal e-mail condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.