Donald Leonard

Donald J. Leonard CHINCOTEAGUE - Donald J. Leonard, 84, passed away peacefully at his residence on Chincoteague in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born on Chincoteague to the late Arthur Leonard and Olive Jester Leonard. He was the grandson of the late Capt. and Mrs. John Leonard and Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Jester. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a career firefighter and a successful entrepreneur and businessman. His ventures include the Island Marina, a sea clamming operation, Island Cruises, and the Refuge Motor Inn. Mr. Leonard was a hard-working, devoted community leader. He was a member and president of the Chincoteague Kiwanis Club, member of Masonic Lodge 243 and American Legion Post No. 159, Chincoteague Town Councilman, member of the Accomack County School Board, officer of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, and lifetime member of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, including a number of years as the head of public relations and chairman of the Pony Committee. Donald had a loving, humorous, and generous spirit and shared his time, talents, and possessions with the community and those in need. From an early age, his greatest passion was for the Chincoteague ponies. He owned his first horse when he was only 12-years-old and spent much of the last 40 years among a small herd that he maintained on his property. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Martha Moore Leonard, and their four children, Carlton Leonard, Jane Leonard Wolffe, Donna Leonard, and Arthur Leonard; their spouses, Scharlene, Glenn and Mary Esther; nine grandchildren, Michael, Roden, Carla, Sandy, Cynthia, Hunter, Ayden, Dan, and Sam; and one great-granddaughter, Ashlyn. Also surviving are his special girls, Sallye Dukes and Rita Matthews; and his second family at the Refuge Inn. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Nov. 26. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either the Donald J. Leonard Park Improvement Fund, c/o PNC Bank; the Chincoteague Island YMCA, P.O. Box 793, Chincoteague; or the John Leonard Bible Class, P.O. Box 687, Chincoteague.