Leonard Joseph Sholes

SHOLES, LEONARD J., 102, died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Anna R. (Kohn) Sholes. Born in North Attleboro, Mass., he was the youngest child of the late Morris B. and Nellie (Levingston) Sholes. Leonard was a graduate of Pawtucket High School ’32, Providence College ‘36 and Boston University Law School ’38. After law school he operated Sholes Hillsgrove Country Club, the World’s Finest Roller Skating Rink, on Post Road, Warwick, RI, with his parents, the late Morris and Nellie Sholes, and then with his sons, from 1938 to 1999 when the Rink was replaced with a hotel serving the traveling public. Early in his career he operated the Lakeside Casino, a roller skating rink and dance hall outside Willimantic, CT where he met and made friends with many of the big band leaders of the 1930’s and 1940’s. He also owned and operated the Winter Garden Roller Skating Rink, on the Cranston-Warwick border, until it was converted into the Warwick Shoppers World. With his late brother Sampson, he also owned and operated the Sholes Riverview Ballroom and later the Sholes Riverview Roller Skating Rink in Dorchester, MA. During his long career he developed several shopping centers and commercial properties. Leonard and his late wife Anna were intrepid travelers and adventurers exploring five continents. After his wife died, Leonard maintained homes in Cranston, Rhode Island and Boca Raton, Florida. From 1966 to 1969, Leonard served as President of Temple Beth Israel in Providence, RI. During his presidency he was instrumental in building the Temple Social Hall and in rebuilding the sanctuary after it was destroyed by fire in 1968. During his second term in office in 1971 and 1972, as part of the fiftieth anniversary of the Temple, he led a pilgrimage of Temple members to Israel. Leonard was a long time member of and still served on the Board of Directors of Temple Torat Yisrael, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Providence Hebrew Day School which presented him with the Amudin Award in 1980 for outstanding contributions to the school and to the Jewish Community. He was honored for his leadership and service by the State of Israel Bonds at the 25thanniversary of the State of Israel Bonds in 1976. Leonard also donated a prayer garden at the Lincoln Park Cemetery. He was active in community and civic affairs. He was a member of Redwood Lodge No 35, A.F. & A.M, the Aleppo Shriners of Newton, Mass, Touro Fraternal Association, Knights of Pythias, among others. Leonard is survived by his four devoted sons: Richard Sholes and his wife Martha of Cranston, David Sholes and his wife Laurie of Providence, Andrew Sholes and his wife Trude of Warwick and Steven Sholes and his wife Dana of Warwick. He was the cherished grandfather of Nancy and Ross Gillman, Michael and Elisa Sholes, Ethan Sholes, Samuel Sholes, Benjamin Sholes, Sarah Sholes, Adam and Lauren Sholes, Noah and Jackie Sholes, Hope and Charles Pinder, Joshua Sholes and the late Marc L. Sholes. He was the adored great grandfather of Kayla and Alexander Gillman, Robbie, Jacqui and Justin Sholes, Madaline and Caroline Sholes, and Charlotte and Maxwell Sholes. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to his wonderful caregivers: Jean, Theresa, Alani and Christine. He was the brother of the late Bessie Lipson, Esther Harris, Bertha Aron, Evelyn Kagan, Alyce Guthart and Sampson Sholes. Funeral services will be held at Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich, RI on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Road, Warwick, RI. Shiva will be observed at his late residence, Saturday from 6 to 9 pm, Sunday and Monday 2 to 9 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Temple Torat Yisrael, 1251 Middle Road, East Greenwich, RI.