Donald M. Leonard

PAWCATUCK - Donald M. Leonard, 88, husband of Marianne Risica Leonard, passed away at home in Pawcatuck CT on December 13, 2025. Born in Westerly, RI in June 1937, he was the son of the late Earle H. Leonard and Alice Conrad Leonard.

Don was raised in Queens, NY, he graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School and attended Pratt Institute. He served in the US Army from 1961 to 1963. Married in 1963, Don and Marianne raised their family in Bergenfield, NJ.

Don's artistic abilities served him well for over forty years as a talented graphic artist in New York City retiring from NBC and moving to Pawcatuck to be closer to family.

Don enjoyed sharing his love of sports with family and friends, having had season tickets to both the NY Rangers and NY Cosmos. Early on, Don utilized his creative abilities acting as a sports reporter, statistician and cartoonist all while working as an assistant Little League baseball coach.

Don and Marianne volunteered as youth soccer coaches where they had championship teams but the joy they got from coaching was seeing team members improve over the course of the season and making sure each player scored a goal by season's end.

Don also enjoyed doing daily crossword puzzles, reading, watching classic movies, and taking family vacations.

He took much pride in watching his family grow, especially his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Matthew, Luke, Olivia and Jake. Besides his grandchildren, he is survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Anne Miller, sons Andrew Leonard and wife Jane, and Gary Leonard as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers William and Robert Leonard.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday December 18th from 12 to 1p.m., with a Memorial Service at 1p.m. at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly RI. Burial will follow at River Bend Cemetery in Westerly. For family and friends that are unable to attend there will be a virtual viewing of the Memorial Service available at the bottom of the obituary.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com