Robert Joseph Leonard

February 13, 2015 in Houston, Texas

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 19th at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Burial will follow at The Houston National

Cemetery in Houston, Texas. Arrangements are by Earthman Funeral Home, Bellaire, Texas.

In addition to his wife, Mary, he leaves his children, Linda and son-in-law, Michael Francescone of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Lisa and son-in-law, Jon Gilson of Roswell, Georgia, Mary Jean and son-in-law, Gary Comeau of Princeton, Massachusetts and son, Robert J Leonard, Jr., of Houston, Texas. He leaves his sister and brother, Claire Cox of Short Hills, New Jersey and George Leonard of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. He is survived by 6 grandchildren; Lauren, James, Ryan, Kelly, Caitlin and Liam. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gertrude Leonard, and his grandson, Justin Daniel Gilson.

Bob was born in Glen Cove, New York to George and Gertrude Leonard on December 10, 1931. He was the youngest of the family, and had a close, warm relationship with his brother and sister. Bob went to school at Long Island City High School in Queens, New York, and graduated in 1951. It was there he met his high-school sweetheart, Mary Hayes. He was a veteran of the Korean War and proudly served in the United States Army as a Private and was awarded 2 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Bob married Mary on June 12, 1954 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Astoria, Queens, New York. After returning from their honeymoon, he joined the New York City Police Department. For most of his career, he worked at the 28th Precinct in Manhattan. He retired from the NYPD on September 26, 1978 finishing his career as a Sergeant in the Tactical Patrol Unit.

In 1960, Mary and Bob moved to East Northport, Long Island, where they raised their family. Bob was an extremely talented person with hands on skills that are now a thing of the past. He had an amazing ability to fix almost anything-- from a broken chair to a total re-haul of a car engine.

After living on Long Island for over 25 years, Bob and Mary retired to Sun City in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Bob was an accomplished artist and wood carver, and won national recognition for his work, most notably his decoy carvings. He was a founding member of the Sun City Carving Club, where he patiently taught anyone who was interested in the intricacies of his craft. He and Mary enjoyed traveling across the United States, especially to visit their children and grandchildren.

He was much loved and will be greatly missed.

To quote his granddaughter Caitlin,

“I know you have been trying your hardest to fight as long as you can and that’s how I will remember you. As far as I can think back all I can

remember is you being the strong, tough, lovable Grandpa that was never too busy for bear hugs. You were always there Grandpa, even when you weren’t. I know that through my entire life you have been nothing but proud of me and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I want you to know that you have had such impact on me as a person. I hope to one day to be as strong as you, to be able to one day be able to be as smart and caring as you are. You love so whole-heartedly and truly believe that people can be good and are so willing to forgive. Though you never really said much everyone in the room knew when you were happy, your smile just thinking about it makes me smile. Now remember its never goodbye, it’s always see you later.”

Psalm 23:4

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

MD Anderson Cancer Center

P.O. Box 4486

Houston, TX 77210-4486

or their web address:

https://gifts.mdanderson.org/mdanderson/main.php/micro_sites/showpage?id=28?actdon=memorialFunctions