GLOUCESTER: John A. Leanos, 83, died peacefully Monday, June 9, 2008 in the Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was the husband of the late Janet L. (Herrick) Leanos who died in March of 1992.
Born in Woburn on February 3, 1925, he was the son of the late Arthur and Elaini (Charos) Leanos. John married Janet Herrick on September 9, 1956, in Gloucester where they had met. John served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years, during World War II and the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in December 1963. After his retirement from the Marine Corp, John moved his family back to Gloucester, where they raised their children, Carolyn and Bill.
During his years in Gloucester, John was formerly an active member of the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church where John and Janet will always be remembered for their church suppers. John was also a former member of the International Dory Committee, the Aleppo Temple Shrine, The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and the Bass Rocks Golf Course. John worked for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 20 years before retiring. John enjoyed golfing, fishing, lobstering, clamming, boating, and gardening. He was a great cook and had the most fun entertaining for his family and friends at their Concord Street home.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, William J. Leanos and Kathleen Auld, his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn L. Leanos-Bittel and Steven Bittel all of Gloucester, three grandsons, Christopher Peterson, Joal Leanos and Alexander Bittel all of Gloucester, two brothers, Stanley Leanos of Salem, NH and James and his wife, Cynthia Leanos of Medford, a sister, Bella and her husband, John Kontinos of Ft. Myers, FL, a brother-in-law, Robert and his wife, Barbara Herrick of Gloucester, a sister-in-law, Margaret and her husband, Thomas Kerr of Idaho Falls, ID and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother, George Leanos.
His funeral services will be held on Thursday with military honors in the Beechbrook Cemetery, Essex Ave., (Rt. 133) W. Gloucester at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the W. Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, 488 Essex Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.