Bob was born to Mary (Leddin) and Julio Leon on June 27, 1931 in Tampa, Florida. He had recently celebrated his 90th Birthday in the company of family and close friends. The family moved to New York City when he was a toddler.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October of 1950. In April of 1951 he was deployed to Korea where he served in combat in Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. He spent his last 3 months in Korea with the Korean Marine Advisory Group. Upon his return he was appointed Sergeant of the Guard at the Armed Forces Staff College (War College) in Norfolk, where he served until his discharge in October 1953 as a Sergeant E-4.
He went on to a career in law enforcement, serving first in the New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police and then in the New York Police Department (NYPD). He had several assignments in the NYPD, ranging from foot patrol to desk sergeant, but most of his time in the NYPD was as a Highway Patrol Officer and then Sergeant in Motorcycle #1 and #4. Complications of a very serious crash in the line of duty forced his early retirement in 1969.
He moved to Port Saint Lucie in 2010 where he followed through on his earlier life. He was a member of the Jack Ivy Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Korean War Veterans Association, and the Martin/St. Lucie County FDNY/NYPD Retirees. He continued his life of service as long as he was able, holding various offices and performing volunteer work for the organizations. He was a Past Commandant of the Jack Ivy Detachment and Past District Vice Commandant for the Marine Corps League, Department of Florida.
Bob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Georgia Dede Leon, and by his children: Eileen (Thomas) Maher, Patricia Gmuer, Kathleen McHugh, Teresa (Thomas) Clarke, Robert J. Leon, and Deirdre (John) Clapp. Also surviving are his sister Susan Carroll Gibbons and brother Daniel Leon. He leaves 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Leon, his parents, Mary Carroll and Julio Leon, and a brother, William Carroll.
Arrangements are by Aycock at Tradition and include Visitation on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 9:30 am. A Memorial Service and Final Honors will begin at 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass will take place on November 6, 2021 at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, Warwick, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Jack Ivy Detachment or Dogs and Cats Forever, Inc.
