Shrewsbury—Edwin Slater Leonard, 87, of 30 Julio Drive in Shrewsbury, died June 23, 2004, after a long illness. Born in Minneapolis, the son of Harold and Marion (Slater) Leonard, he lived there and outside New York as a child. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Caroline (Atwater) Leonard; five children, Judson of Newton, MA; Charlotte Mertz of Ellisville, MO; Timothy of Groton, MA; Charles of Columbia, MD; and Kenneth of Tampa, FL; eleven grandchildren; three brothers, Judson, William, and Robert; and many nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Columbia College, Mr. Leonard retired from the Air Force after 26 years of active duty. Later a Civil Servant, he worked in personnel and financial management.
Besides his family, his interests were natural history, choral and classical music, Boy Scouting, and his church. He was an ordained Elder and Deacon of the Presbyterian church, which he served at the local congregation level, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.
He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, optimistic attitude, warm generosity, and his instinctive rapport with children.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Worcester, 125 Holden Street, Worcester, at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 28, followed by a reception at Southgate. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Heifer Project, 216 Wachusett Road, Rutland, MA 01543.