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JOHN LEONARD Obituary
JOHN P. LEONARD "Jack"
Retired United States Ambassador John P. "Jack" Leonard of Bonita, CA, died peacefully at home May 13, 2013 after battling lymphoma. Jack served with distinction in the U.S. Foreign Service for 34 years, notably in war-torn Nicaragua leading up to the 1990 elections there, as Ambassador to Suriname, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. In a personal letter in 1990, President George H.W. Bush said: "Your intelligence, diligence and perseverance under extremely adverse conditions and your endless hours of work contributed mightily to reaching this day of democratic transition in Nicaragua....You have exemplified the best in service to country." In 1999, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright honored him with the Department of State Career Achievement Award. The son of Richard A. and Elizabeth P. Leonard, Jack grew up in Larchmont, NY. He graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, MA and Harvard College. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1965 after serving in Army Military Intelligence in Korea. Jack is survived by Norma Valverde Leonard, his wife of 34 years, children Yeardley Leonard (John Reed) of New York, NY and Christopher B. Leonard (Angela) of Boulder, CO, grandchildren Eliza and Cassius Reed, and brothers Anthony C. Leonard (Susan) of Guilford, CT and Richard W. Leonard (Laura Rice) of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY plus nieces, nephews, and many close friends. Burial will take place July 5 at Fort Rosecrans Military Cemetery, San Diego.
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN LEONARD
Philip Stevens
June 18, 2013
For the Leonard family, I am so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. We were roommates sophomore year at Harvard but lost touch over the years.
Sincerely,
Phil Stevens
Christina Fransone
May 22, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to you Norma and the rest of Jacks family. He is gone from our sight but not from our memories. God bless you at this time. Love Chrissy and Andrew
May 21, 2013
This is very sad news indeed for the whole Waters clan. We will miss John(Jack) greatly and all his wonderful international and political stories as well as the Hamony Drive neighborhood stories. We had a wonderful time with Jack and Norma in Oceanside last Christmas. It was most likely our final Christmas out there so I am so glad we saw him. God bless you Leonards!!!
Love,
Jane Waters price
Martha Peach
May 19, 2013
Dear Norma,
Tony just sent me the very sad news about John. Please know how sorry I am and I hope that you are surrounded by friends at this time. I am with my daughter in New York who lost her husband, also on the 13 th of May. I have been telling my children about John and how wonderful the Leonard family was and how important they were to me when I was a young girl.
Love, Martha
Betsy Blakely
May 18, 2013
I had the please of knowing Jack through my Aunt Betty Peach-Tschirgi. Jack was Betty's nephew from her first husband Gene Peach. Norma and Jack would invite us to their home to visit family. They always made us feel special. Jack will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Norma, Jack's children and his brothers.
Sincerely,
Betsy Blakely
Bob & Sharon Summers
May 16, 2013
A candle for Jack as he ascends to heaven with all our prayers to assist in his journey.
Prayers for Normas as she goes through this difficult and very sad time. May you feel the prayers of Love, Peace and Strength of God to get you through the tough moments. Love you with all our hearts,
Jack the master of growing beautiful roses.
Sharon & Bob Summers
May 16, 2013
Uncle Jack you will be missed greatly by all of us, but especially Aunt Norma.thank you for being such a great host at all our family gatherings at your beautiful home on the Bonita Golf Course, it's always a pleasure to join you on the green to watch all the golfers playing in your back yard. Love listening to all your great stories and adventures. Uncle Jack lived life to it's fullest and left a lot of good memories. "RIP" We'll be looking after Aunt Norma, you were a wonderful loving husband and I know how much she'll miss you. God Bless you Always and Forever in His arms.
RIP
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