Kevin R. Leonard

Kevin R. Leonard, 62, of Nashua, died unexpectedly on May 14, 2014. He was born in Nashua on April 4, 1952 to William and Alice Leonard. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1970. He received a BA in Earth Science Teaching from the University of New Hampshire in 1974 as well as a MEd in Special Education from Fitchburg State University in 1984. He married Rose Leonard in 1985.

He worked for over 30 years as a teacher in Nashua before retiring. He taught Special Education and cared deeply about his students whom he advocated for passionately in and out of the classroom. He demonstrated this commitment as a member of the board of the directors of the Nashua Children's Home. He was an avid skier and coordinated the Ski Club at Elm Street Middle School where he taught. Kevin was also an enthusiastic dirt bike rider and was an active member of the Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders, New England Trail Riders Association, and the Merrimack Valley Trail Riders, through which he supported Cystic Fibrosis research. He was also a lover of animals, and owned and loved many dogs over his lifetime.

He is survived by his wife, Rose Leonard, and his two children, Andrew and Joseph Leonard of Nashua. He is also survived by a brother, William Leonard Jr. and his wife Charlene of Eliot, ME, a sister-in-law, Patricia Smith and her husband Scott of Colorado, and a niece, Katherine Leonard, and four nephews, Jameson, Bryant, and Dylan Smith, and Christopher Leonard.

Visiting hours were held on Monday, May 19, 2014 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm in the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St., Nashua. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 9:30am Tuesday in St. Patrick Parish, 29 Spring St., Nashua. Interment followed in St. Patrick Cemetery, Hudson, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry Rd., Nashua, NH 03064.