Rev. Alex Leonovich

Rev. Alex Leonovich

AGE: 90 • Somerset

Rev. Alex Leonovich died on Wednesday at his home in Somerset. He was 90 years old.

Rev. Leonovich was born to Paul and Natalie Leonovich in Sopli, Belarus and came to the United States with his family at age 7 in 1929. He attended Nyack Missionary College before starting radio missionary work in Europe, South America and Canada. Upon his return to the United States he settled in South River before moving to Middlebush in 1958.

He was the executive director of Slavic Missionary Service since 1958 and pastored the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Manville, NJ and the First Russian Baptist Church in South River, NJ. He also served on the board of directors of National Religious Broadcasters and RUEBU. He received an honorary doctorate from the People's Friendship University.

He was pre-deceased by his wife of 58 years, Babs Leonovich in 2005. He was also pre-deceased by a brother Peter Leonovich. Rev. Leonovich is survived by his children; David Leonovich of Somerset, Marion Becker and her husband Christian of VA., Deena Lubansky and her husband Kenneth of Kinnelon, Dawn Marie Arthur and her husband Dan of Lebanon. He is also survived by his brother; Nicholas Leonovich and his wife Frozina of CA., sister; Betty Semenchuk and her husband Paul of CO., sister in law Ruth Leonovich, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will take place on Friday at Emmanuel Baptist Church 34 South Third Avenue Manville from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Graveside services will take place on Saturday at 11 AM at Cedar Grove Cemetery (between Wilson Road and Cedar Grove Lane) in Somerset. A memorial service will begin at 1PM on Saturday at Emmanuel Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions can be made in memory of Alex Leonovich to SMS PO Box 307, South River, NJ 08882.