THOMAS J. LEONARD Sr.

LEONARD THOMAS J., Sr.
Age 90, of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away peacefully in the presence of his granddaughter, Beth at the West Penn Hospice on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Tom was born on February 17, 1925, in Rankin, PA, to Irish immigrant parents, Patrick and Catherine Davoren Leonard. After growing up in the Garfield section of Pittsburgh, he graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1943. Tom immediately enlisted in the US Marine Corps, and after training in Parris Island, SC, he was shipped off to the Pacific Island of Peleliu, where he participated in one of the most horrific battles of WWII. Before Tom graduated high school, the lovely Peggy Wadding captured his heart on a blind date. They were married on October 18, 1947, in Pittsburgh at St. Rosalia Church. Together they raised five children, his most cherished accomplishments, Thomas J. (Marilyn) Leonard, Jr., James J. (Celeste), Peggy Ann, Daniel J. (Kathy) and Mary Ellen (Dave) Zik. Besides his children, he was proud to be a Marine and a football/Steelers fan. Tom was employed by Sears & Roebuck for 40 years as a heating and refrigeration repairman. He lived in the Greenfield area of Pittsburgh with Peggy most of his life. They took great pleasure in vacationing for two weeks every summer in Stone Harbor, NJ with their children. After Tom retired at age 62 from Sears, he and Peg frequently visited their children and grandchildren, Ed Leonard (Gina), Beth Pavlic (George), Katie M. Leonard and Jamie Ousterout (Dave), Jeremy Leonard, Gregory, Jimmy and Kristy Leonard. Tom was predeceased by his parents; brother, Billy; sister, Sheila Driscoll (Bob); and brothers, Jack (surviving wife, Chris) Leonard and Morgan (surviving wife, Bette) Leonard; wife of 58 years, Peggy; and grandson, Jeremy (surviving wife, Lisa) Leonard. Tom will be truly missed by his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, Ian Leonard, Meghan Leonard, Alannah Pavlic, Luka Pavlic and JJ Leonard; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Greenfield neighbors. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, 1-4, 6-8 p.m. at the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15207, 412-521-1943. Funeral Saturday at 11:30 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass in St. Rosalia Church at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly consider a donation to St. Rosalia Church, where Tom was an Usher and Eucharistic Minister for decades. The family would also like to thank Tom's longtime home aide, Diane Slimick and most recently the staff at West Penn Hospice.