Profile Image
James D. Leonard Veteran
December 24, 2020

Obituary

LEONARD James D. Of West Roxbury, more recently of Pompano Beach, FL. passed away on December 24, 2020. Beloved son of the late Patrick and Anne (Collins) Leonard of Boston, both originally of County Cork, Ireland. Devoted brother of Patrick Leonard of West Roxbury and the late Jerome Leonard.

Cherished uncle of Susan Leonard Repetti (Jim), Beth Leonard, Nan Leonard (Cesar), Jay Leonard (Janelle), Mark Leonard, Karen Hynes (Paul), Paula Leonard-Schwartz (Steve), Pat Maguire (Sean), Kevin Leonard, Janet Colamaria (Jack), Brian Leonard (Judy), Brenda Swanson (Randy), Diane Leonard (Gerard) and the late James Leonard and Gerard Michael Leonard. Also survived by 24 grand nieces and nephews and 10 great grand nieces and nephews of whom he was very proud and who loved him dearly.

Jim earned his B.S. from Boston College in 1952, and M.Ed. from Boston State Teachers College in 1953. Jim served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for ten years. As a former Boston Public Schools teacher, he was proud that he taught former Mayors Flynn and Menino. Subsequently, Jim became a special education administrator and school psychologist for Canton Public Schools and was a founding member of the Massachusetts Association of Special Education Administrators. Jim was committed to a number of charitable and community organizations and received the Pro Deo et Juventute Award, from the Archdiocese of Boston, by Cardinal Cushing for his volunteer efforts with the CYO. A devout Catholic, he worshipped with and generously supported the parishes of St. Theresa of Avila in West Roxbury, MA and St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Pompano Beach, FL.

A resident of Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury for most of his life, Jim retired to Florida in 1991 and became a snowbird, summering in West Roxbury and returning south after the end of each Boston College football season. Jim was an avid golfer, sports fan, and world traveler (to all seven continents many times). He introduced all of his nieces and nephews to Ireland, taking them on unforgettable journeys to see the Irish homesteads and families in Reengaroga and Ballylinch in County Cork, Ireland. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and relatives in New England, Florida, and Ireland.

Visiting hours will be held at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury on Monday, December 28th from 4-6pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Funeral from the funeral home on Tuesday, December 29th at 9am, followed by a private Funeral Mass at St. Theresa at 10am (maximum capacity of 80 people due to covid regulations). The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and available for viewing through the St. Theresa website sttheresaparishboston.com. Interment Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to
St. Theresa of Avila Parish, 10 St. Theresa Avenue, West Roxbury, MA 02132 or
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 3331 NE 10th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.


Content is coming soon...
P. E. Murray - F.J. Higgins - George F. Doherty Funeral Home
2000 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
617-325-2000