Stephen Leonard

I was lucky enough to be Stephen's closest friend and nearly constant companion for the last 70 years. My mother used to proclaim, "if Stevie Leonard jumped off the Winooski bridge, you'd be right behind him". We were classmates at Central School, SBHS and UVM and fellow brothers at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Voted the "class clown" at graduation in 1968, that captured how he touched everyone with his intelligence and razor wit. We shared so many "private jokes" throughout the years, I couldn't count them. Steve was an excellent athlete, and despite his short stature, he made up for it with hustle and determination. He was the starting QB on the football team and a starter on the basketball and baseball teams. He made the freshman soccer team at UVM (with me) having never played it in high school. Later in life, he took to tennis and became a "tough out" on the courts in Boston and Burlington with his speed and racket skills. Steve loved all kinds of music, especially Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, and he had amassed considerable libraries of vinyl and CDs. We shared a quirky habit of "speaking in lyrics", borrowed from some song we knew when appropriate. Steve traveled extensively from Central and South America to Ireland and the UK, Spain, France and Italy. Steve was a devout Catholic and attended mass wherever he found himself. His faith was unfortunately tested by the loss of two of his girlfriends, one in the Lockerbie terrorist bombing and another later by suicide. Steve was lucky enough to be one of the "Leonard clan" of South Burlington. Dean and Edie had seven children and every one of them made a positive mark in our community. Steve loved each and every sibling and enjoyed spending time with them. They were and still are my "second family" and treated me as one of their own since I was always with Steve. Needless to say, he will be sorely missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him. RIP to my brother from another mother. See you in heaven.

Stevie was as nice a person as we have ever had the privilege of knowing. Despite more than his fair share of heartache, his spirit and his kindness touched all who knew him. His smile warmed everyone.

Such a great man and friend - thanks for all the great memories....

You were definitely one of a kind in this world, lived the life you wanted and by your own rules. I find it hard to believe you are gone and will keep all of our memories in my mind. Rest in peace my friend. JoAnne

Steve you were always a fun guy to work with. I wish there was more time. RIP <3 Lenny