William A. Leonard

William A. Leonard passed away at the Beverly Hospital, on February 15, 2012 at the age of 97. William was born in Boston on September 18, 1914 to the late John & Catherine (Dowd) Leonard. Mr. Leonard was raised in Boston, Somerville & Malden, entered the US Navy in 1937 and served for 2 years being discharged in 1939. After his discharge he worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard until 1946. He graduated from Boston Trade School and then from Salem State College with a teaching degree. Mr. Leonard worked as a teacher at the Wakefield Junior High for 10 years and in Boston and other local school districts. William was a resident of Melrose from 1956 to 1984 and has been a Peabody resident since 1984. He was a longtime member of St. Adelaide's Church in Peabody, was a member of the Moose Lodge Medford Chapter and enjoyed restoring classic cars. Mr. Leonard was the beloved husband of the late Janet A. (McClafferty) Leonard and the late Evelyn (Carr) Leonard. Father of William Leonard & his wife Carol of Peabody, John Leonard of Danvers, Thomas Leonard & his wife Mary of Byfield, Louise Blackadar & her husband Ronald of Peabody, Marion Brown & her husband Kenneth of Lynn, David Leonard & his partner James Cacciola of Provincetown & the late Elizabeth Harlow. Stepfather of Joanne M. Wright, Rosemary C. Vineau, Cathleen G. Crowley all of FL, Dennis R. Vigneau of Chicago,IL, Ellen M. Kaczmarek & her husband Philip of Lynn, & the late Michael C. & Mark A. Vigneau. Brother of the late Louise Keenan, Helen, John, Thomas & Francis Leonard. Also survived by 10 grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Saturday, February 18th at 8:45Am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in William's memory at St. Adelaide's Church, 708 Lowell St. Peabody at 10AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday from 4:00-8:00PM. Interment at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Pl. 6th Floor West, Brookline, MA 02445.