Joseph A. “Babe” Leonard, Jr., a life-long Cambridge resident died Friday at the Sancta Maria Nursing Facility. He was 77.
The son of the late Joseph and Clare (Campbell) Leonard, Babe dropped out of high school enlisting in the US Navy to help fight in the War. He served in combat in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Missouri and was present at the signing of the Japanese surrender, ending World War II. After the war, he worked many years throughout the United States with local utility companies to convert cities to the use of natural gas. He also worked as a machinist with NABISCO, in Cambridge until his retirement. He served several terms as Commander of the Russell E. Hoyt Post 299 of the VFW, Cambridge.
He was the beloved husband of the late Helen (Soderquist). He was a devoted father to Catherine A. Stone and her husband Larry of Medford, Patricia Leonard of Cambridge and Joseph Leonard, III of Cambridge. He was a loving grandfather to Teresa, Danielle, Kelly, Jason, Jimmy, Lisa and Great-grandfather to Anthony, Ariana, Victoria and Xavier. He was the brother of Clare McKenna of Andover, William Leonard of Reading and the late Paul “Chum” Leonard.
His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Monday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Francis Of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Sunday 4 - 8. Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.