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John R. Leonard

John Leonard Obituary

Leonard, John R.
known to most as Jack, passed away on May 17, 2011 at the age of 94. Born in Paterson, NJ to Irish immigrants, Tom and Ann nee Smith on August 31, 1916, he spent his childhood in Paterson and attended Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, graduating in 1939. Following graduation, he served as a lieutenant commander in the USNR from 1940 to 1945, skippering the USS Cythera, a destroyer escort. He worked the majority of his business career for Time-Life in Chicago before moving to Arizona and then California. Jack enjoyed fame late in life when he was featured in son Mike's, an NBC correspondent, book and documentary series, "The Ride of Our Lives" which was shown on NBC's Today Show and Public Television. Jack is a beloved husband of Marjorie Leonard nee Hattersley; loving father of Jack, Jr. (AJ), Mike (Cathy), Tim (Patty) and Kevin (Laura) and the late Ann Leonard; proud grandfather of Dan, Kevin, Mary, Matt (Margarita), Megan (Jamie) Fleischel, Kerry (Greg) Trotter, Brendan, Patrick, Erin, Tim (Meredith), Holly and Jack; great-grandfather of Brady, Sam, Josie, James and Eleanor June. Visitation Friday 4:00p.m-8:00p.m at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Rd. Skokie. Funeral Mass Saturday 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1077 Tower Rd. Winnetka, IL 60093. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660 Funeral info: 847.675.1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com

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Published by The Arizona Republic on May 19, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for John Leonard

21 Entries

Tom Vucinic

May 14, 2022

I remember Jack often, always with a smile. He was a true friend and a mentor. One of a kind for sure, always there for me. No one could tell a story like Jack. I miss him.

Tom Vucinic

July 9, 2011

I am deeply saddened to hear of Jack's passing. Jack has been a wonderful friend, through thick and thin and I was very fond of him. He was as good and as genuine a person as I have ever known, and I feel blessed to haved shared so much with him. He loved his family and he loved humanity - always seeing the good in others. He taught me a lot about being positive and trusting in our faith. He had the best stories and we laughed together, over and over again. I will miss him and all the goodness that he brought to us. Rest in peace, dear Jack.

May 27, 2011

Dear Marge & Family,

I was so saddened to just learn of Jack's passing. You and Jack were such a big part of my life in the 60's, and the wonderful memories that I have will be with me forever. He was the best boss ever and I was so lucky to have been his secretary for nine years. He was a wonderful friend and mentor. He was loved by all who knew him.

Georgia Van Demark

Chicago Glaucoma Consultants Docs/Staff

May 26, 2011

We always looked for to hearing Mr. Leonard's fun stories and loved his upbeat attitude! He will be missed.

Floy Quinn Laverty

May 23, 2011

Dear Marge and Family.

We were very saddened to learn of Jack passing away. He was a Gentleman in the true sense of the word. He will be truly missed, but I for one feel better in knowing he is in heaven with all of our loved ones and keeping an eye on us.
Please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
With Love,
Floy Quinn Laverty & Family and
Bill Quinn & Family

Sue and Matt Gelber

May 22, 2011

So sorry to hear of Jack's passing. What a great guy. He will be sorely missed.

May 22, 2011

Dear Marge and Family, We were so sad to hear of Jack's passing in church this morning. We shall greatly miss his smiling face, his sense of humor, his friendliness, and his gift of gab. Ron and Mary Strandberg (OLPH- the pew in front of you)

May 20, 2011

To the Leonard famly:

I met Jack Leonard in the early 1990s shortly after I moved to San Diego. At the time, Jack wanted to write his autobiography as a gift to his children and grandchildren. Knowing I was a writer, he asked me if I wanted to co-author the book. I welcomed the opportunity.

Working on "The Time of My Life" with Jack was such a tremendous experience and forged a great friendship with a wonderful person.

To hear Jack share his incredible stories and anecdotes about the many people, famous and not-so-famous, that crossed his path was something to behold.

Even though Jack moved back to Chicago several years ago, we remained in touch. Just a few weeks ago, I spoke with Jack and told him I had decided to start a memoir writing business and that he had been the inspiration for it. He was delighted and said he thought it was a great idea.

When I learned of his death this week, I began to think about all the people he had impacted so positively over the course of his life. For many (including myself), Jack was a mentor, father figure and favorite uncle all rolled into one. He just had a way of brightening your day. He was simply one in a million.

To Marge, the Leonard boys, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, I extend my sincerest condolences. May you find comfort in knowing that Jack had such a positive influence on so many lives.

-- Sid Shapira (San Diego, CA)

Mary & Alan Moss

May 20, 2011

Dear Moose and Kevin and all the clan,
We just heard from Hilary Draper that Jack has left the building. We are so very sorry for your loss. He's probably talking the wings off the angels right now; if anybody could make God laugh, it'd be Jack.
But we're sure he got to heaven a full hour before the devil got the memo. Peace and hugs!

Sister Paulette, RSM

May 20, 2011

My sympathies and prayers for all the Leonard's. Thank you for thinking of our Misericordia residents.

George & Audrey Quinn

May 20, 2011

Dear Marge and the Leonard Boys,
I will always cherish the times I was able to play with Big Jack as I was growing up. He was a treasure of stories, some of which I heard over and over again. But each time was like hearing it for the first time. He was passionate about life and that passion rubbed off on everyone who knew him. He helped me to become a man and I will always be gratful for the friendship that we developed over the many years. I will miss talking to him on the phone and hearing him tell stories about Lou Costello Sr in Patterson, NJ. I will miss his Irsh twinkle in his eyes. He did have a "Great Ride" and I hope my ride can be half as good as his. Our love and prayers for Marge and all the Leonards. We are all a little sadder for the passing of another of "The Greatest Generation".

John Clark

May 19, 2011

So long Jack it was a " Great Ride " just knowing you I had " The Time of my life "
Rest in piece my friend.

Jim Kauss

May 19, 2011

I find it hard to be sad as I remember Jack Leonard and growing up with Mike and the Leonard boys. Reflecting, all I have are smiles and great memories of a great guy.

1991, Jake Clancy, John, and Jack Clancy

Carole and Jack Clancy

May 19, 2011

Dear Moose and Family, Our heartfelt sympathies go out to you all in this time of loss. May you find comfort in our every loving Father in Heaven. And yes, heaven now has "a great champion" and "always a pleasing performer" as Jack and I used to say at the end of our weekly phone calls. I will miss talking baseball, hockey and boxing with Jack who could remember rounds in a boxing match, fixes, and all sport's history. Knowing Jack for 31 years has been a tremendous blessing to me. Moose, when you see that cane bat remember the grounders Jack Jr and I hit with Jack on the perfect diamond beach in La Jolla. Much love, The Clanc (Carole and Jack Clancy)

Lisa & Mary Franke

May 19, 2011

Mike, Cathy and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He lived a long and wonderful life and can now watch over you all in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and entire family during this difficult time. He is at peace. God Bless Jack and you all too.
Mary and Lisa Franke

May 19, 2011

He was an inspiration!

Fr. John Peterson, O.P.

May 19, 2011

Dear Marge, Mike, and all in the family
No words of mine can mean much now. Your loss is far too great and much too close. But in behalf of our Dominican Community at Providence College, and in my own name, I want to make known to you, our deepest sympathy. In the praying we are doing Jack is with us...so are you!
At a time such as this, nothing anyone says makes much sense.(Perhaps better than most I know that.) But it is my hope that the consoling thought of a gifted Trappist monk might help.
Thomas Merton wrote, death is where the hills end...and the stars begin.
Jack's "hills" are over now. It's his time to be with the "stars" and their Source. It is my hope and I pray, that the deep, inner peace that thought can induce, will be with you and your family...especially now.
May Mary, the temple in whom God's Son became a priest keep you near, in her care.
With His love and all mine,

Victor & Katie Grossman

May 18, 2011

Jack was the definition of a true gentleman. We only knew him for the past 5 years but will remember him forever. It was an honor to call him a friend.

May 18, 2011

To Marge and all the Leonards...
You are in our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We feel lucky to have known such a delightful man. He will be missed. Heaven just got a whole lot livelier.
Ray White & Stephanie Nora White

Peter Mead

May 18, 2011

What a wonderful man. He will certainly be missed. My condolences to his lovely wife Marge and all of his family. Our country is better because of people like him.

Shelley Hall

May 18, 2011

We miss Jack, we loved his stories and we will miss them. He is up in heaven with Floy and Ricky Leander telling them stories!!! Love, Shelley(Quinn)& Allyn Hall

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