Leonard M. Conlin Sr.

Leonard M. Conlin, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Jane E. (King) Conlin, whom he fondly referred to as "his bride."
Born in Flushing, New York, on April 6, 1930, Len was the son of the late Walter and Lucy (Leary) Conlin. He attended Hempstead High School and graduated from Niagara University in 1952, where he majored in mathematics, served as senior class president, and captained the cross-country team. Following graduation, Len studied for the priesthood. During his two-year novitiate with the Vincentian Fathers, his discernment led him to a different calling: education. He went on to earn his M.Ed. from Worcester State Teachers College.
Len devoted 45 years to education, beginning in Worcester and continuing for more than four decades as a beloved math teacher, coach and summer school director in the Framingham school system. He also served for 35 years as an adjunct instructor at Northeastern University. He was actively involved in numerous community and church committees and also served as a town meeting member.
Len and Jane were blessed with eight children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. The Conlin family moved from Northboro to Framingham in 1970, where they resided for 32 years. In 2002, Len and Jane moved to the Briarwood Retirement Community in Worcester. Their son Jimmy, who has Down syndrome, was lovingly cared for at home until he was a young adult. In the 1990s, Len and Jane were one of the founding members of a public/private partnership that brought together four families and State agencies to build a home for their adult children with special needs, creating a lasting legacy of compassion.
Family was the center of Len's life. He was known for his annual Easter family dinners at Ken's Steak House and for creating custom family calendars with color photographs, distributed each Christmas as the most anticipated gift of the season.
Len loved singing with the Greendale Men's Club Choir and performing at the Briarwood Community, his home for 25 years, where friendships flourished and the kindness of staff and residents brought him and Jane joy and comfort. He also enjoyed daily walks and gardening, embraced new technology, and brought laughter through his gentle pranks and warm humor.
He was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Theodore and his son Joseph. He is survived by his seven children: Leonard M. Conlin Jr., his wife Susan and their children Jack, Mike and Kate of Marblehead; John F. Conlin, his wife Karen and their children Thea, Owen and Della of Norfolk; Jane A. Pappalardo, her husband Bill and their children Amanda, Ashley and Angela of Woburn; W. Timothy Conlin, his wife Tina and his children Tatarina, Michelle, Isabel and Roselynne of Framingham; Elizabeth L. Cronin, her husband James and their daughter Karen of Hudson; James P. Conlin of Marlborough; Mary P. Soderberg, her husband Scott and their son Nolan of Ashland; nine cherished great grandchildren and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Friday, January 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The Funeral Mass will be Saturday, January 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Leicester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Len's memory to a Down syndrome organization of one's choice, the Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community, 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606, or JHC Hospice, 646 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609.