Thomas J. Leonard

Thomas John Leonard, 71, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, AZ after a lengthy illness.
He was born December 18, 1951 to Lyle and Virginia (Gauthier) Leonard. Tom met the love of his life, his "bride" Chris (Belanger) in 1968 when they were 15 years old. He transferred to Holy Name, where she went to school, and they built their lives together. Tom and Chris celebrated their 50th Anniversary last summer.
Tom went to work on the railroad for Chicago Northwestern when he was 17 years old and retired from Union Pacific after giving them 40+ years. He was a member of the Elks 354 and served as Exalted Ruler, the Eagles, and the Escanaba Country Club. He had three daughters who were his world, Dana (Mike) VanEffen, Stephanie (Jamie) McDonough, and Kara (Andie) Bartoszek. Anyone who knew Tom knew that family meant everything to him. Tom was very close to all of his grandkids. He had "Little" Jamie; his "chosen one", Marisa; his "number one", Maddy; Haillie "Belle"; "favorite", Macie; and for his 50th birthday finally a boy, Brett. Then came his "princess", Kloe, and for his 60th year he got another boy, Cooper. He loved his grandchildren and will be remembered for his bike rides with them and "job briefings" to the ice cream shop and candy store.
Tom and Chris enjoyed their retirement years spending the winters in Lake Havasu, AZ with family and many friends. Tom's health declined in the last few years, but one of his final wishes was to get Chris to Lake Havasu this year. After getting clearances from his many doctors, he made that happen.
He lived life to the fullest! Tom enjoyed playing golf, watching Green Bay Packers football, gardening, hunting camp, cooking, and "cocktail hour". He was very witty and was always cracking jokes. One of his "favorite" nieces, although they were all his favorites, reminisced that "Uncle Tom was the first person to teach me that some people in life have a quick wit, and a way to make you feel special and loved by giving you s@#t!"
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lyle "Larry" Leonard, Jim "Red" Leonard, and an infant brother.
He is survived by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several sisters-in-law, several brothers-in-law, mother-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was particularly close to his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dave and Nancy Kositzky, who have been with him through everything, along with his special friends in Lake Havasu.
Tom's last and final wish will be honored and no services will be held. Celebrate his life by making someone laugh.
A message of condolence can be shared by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.
The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.
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