Leonard Albert

Leonard was the eldest of three children. Leonard's family moved to Brooklyn in 1937. He was in junior high school when he met Phyllis Oliva who would eventually become his wife of 47 years. Leonard graduated from Lafayette High School in Brooklyn in 1950 and joined the Navy in 1952 during the Korean War. Leonard and Phyllis were married April 17, 1955. Following Leonard's discharge from the Navy in 1956 they made their home in California eventually having three children: Brenda, Carol and Louis. Leonard's career was spent working as a stockbroker. He retired from Merrill Lynch in 1990. Throughout his adult life, Leonard was very active with Temple Beth Israel and with other community organizations. Leonard was a sports fan, following the Yankees, the Rams and the Lakers with avid interest. He followed the stock market every single day, remaining actively engaged throughout his life. He loved travel of all kinds, cruises were a favorite, he loved parties and dancing and generally celebrating life.

Following Phyllis's death, Leonard married longtime friend Millie Levy and gained a second family in her children Mark, Joel and Sharon and their children. Together almost a decade, Leonard and Millie enjoyed travel, their families, and involvement with Temple Beth Israel.

Following Millie's death, in the last years of his life Leonard was fortunate to meet Lesa Schwartz with whom he made a life full of laughter, dancing, and travel and who provided him with another family. Lesa's daughters Jennifer, Cassandra, and their children Seth, Noah, Oliver and Felix have become an important part of Leonard's life.

Leonard is survived by his sister Libby and her children and grandchildren; his daughter Brenda Marengo, her husband Pete and their children Elizabeth, Peter, and Garrett and their spouses Robby, Kylie, and Peter's daughter Olivia; his daughter Carol Sorsky and her husband Richard; his son Louis, his wife Robyn and their daughters Alyssa and Ryane, and Alyssa's husband Sam.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm at Temple Beth Israel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Temple Beth Israel in Leonard's honor, 6622 N. Maroa Ave, Fresno, CA 93704.