Michael Aristo Leonard

Michael Aristo Leonard, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on April 21, 2024, at the age of 80. Michael, known as Mike, was born to Jane and Frederick Leonard on September 24, 1943, in Binghamton, New York. Mike is survived by his wife, Cindy, and three children, Michael (Mary), Patrick (Angela) and Erin (Hunter). He is also survived by his sister, Rita Macko, as well as four grandchildren, Hudson, Katie, Caleb and Elliott, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was one of nine children in an Irish Catholic family with three sets of twins, including his twin brother, Charles Leonard (Chuck/Charlie) by whom he was predeceased. He was also predeceased by his father, Frederick Leonard, and his mother, Jane Riordan Leonard, who emigrated from Ireland in 1926, and his siblings Bill, Ross, Judy, Jane, Fred and Maureen. Mike attended Chenango Valley High School, where he ran cross country and was on the wrestling team, and attended Broome County Community College, where he received an associate degree. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and served for two years as a mechanical engineer. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and received the National Defense Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. After the Army, Mike attended North Carolina State University and received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He went on to have a 35-year career as an engineer for General Electric. A couple of years after completing his degree at N.C. State, Mike met his wife, Cindy Masters, in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Mike and Cindy lived in Lake Latonka, Pennsylvania, San Jose, California, and Hudson, Ohio during Mike’s tenure with General Electric. Mike went on to have a second career in small business development, beginning at the James Madison University Small Business Development Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and completing his career as Executive Director for the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center in Richmond, Virginia. Mike was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved spending time with his family. Mike lived by the Boy Scout slogan “Do a Good Turn Daily” and never hesitated to drop whatever he was doing to help his family, a neighbor or someone else in need. He enjoyed golfing, skiing and water skiing and sharing these hobbies with his sons. Mike also enjoyed coaching his sons’ little league teams and helping with Boy Scouts, Indian Princesses, camping trips and various projects over the years; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mike was one of a kind and will be truly missed. Mike’s family will host a visitation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Henrico, Virginia. The funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow, and continue with a 2 p.m. committal service at Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Court House, Virginia.