Donald McLeod

McLeod, Donald

Donald McLeod, a Putnam Lake resident of 45+ years, peacefully passed away on December 7, 2014 while surrounded by loved ones.

Donald Kenneth McLeod was born on Feb. 12, 1934 to Rose Jane Coady and Donald Neil MacLeod. Raised in New York City and spending summers on a family farm in Glengarry, Canada, Don was a graduate of the Bronx's Cardinal Hayes High School. He took the bus to school each day and that was where he met Catherine McDermott, who became his wife and constant companion for the next 63 years.

Following high school, Don served his country in the United States Navy as a radar man on the USS Ponchatula. He then joined the NYPD and rose to the rank of Detective during his 18 years on the force.

He earned a Master of Arts degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. After finishing his own education, Don went on to launch the criminal justice program at Manhattan College. He also was the founder and director of the police academy in Rockland County. Don later worked as Undersherriff of Rockland County, and finished his career as Director of Security at the Museum of Modern Art.

In retirement, Don learned to play the bag pipes and enjoyed several years as a member of Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums of Danbury. Retirement also allowed time for his other hobbies, including woodworking, landscaping and physical fitness.

In addition to his professional career, Don also dedicated his personal life to protecting others and cherished his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Catherine Ellen McDermott McLeod and their six children; his sister Shirley Birkhofer and her husband John; and his sister-in-law Maureen Darcy, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Sr. Betteann McDermott.

Don's children and their families include AnnMarie McLeod; Roseann McLeod Bean and her husband, Michael Bean, and their children Ted, Catherine, and Andrew; Marybeth McLeod Campbell and her husband Bob and their children, Bradley, Kristen and Matthew; Donald Noel McLeod and his wife Ranyce Berger McLeod and their daughters, Erica and Chelsey; Keith McLeod and his wife, Maria and their sons, Mick, Jonny and Kelly; and Catherine McLeod Mariani and her husband, Ed and their daughters Noelle Somoskey and Amber Mariani.

His entire family is grateful for the gift of his life, love, and leadership. They are also thankful for incredible care he received from the staff at Putnam Community Hospital and Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital over the past weeks.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on December 10, 2014 at St. Edward's the Confessor Church, New Fairfield, CT at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation will be held tomorrow Tuesday December 9, 2014 from 4pm-8pm at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, NY.