Cornelius "Neil" John Leonard

Cornelius “Neil” J. Leonard, 60, of Boston, sang his final rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Mack the Knife” on Saturday, June 26, 2021. He passed away with his beloved husband and life partner of the past 28 years, Henry Goodrow, and his family by his side.

Neil was a devoted son of Ann (Connolly) Leonard and the late William A. Leonard. He was born in Chelsea and grew-up in Topsfield where his father owned and operated Fraher’s Apothecary.

After graduating from St. Anselm College, Neil moved to New York City and launched his career in advertising at SSC&B Lintas. He returned to Boston in the 1990s to work with the city’s premier advertising and branding firms including EMI, Ingalls, Holland Mark, and Hill Holliday. Neil also worked as a senior marketing professional at Fidelity Investments and Wellington Management before retiring in 2017.

He was a Board Chair and dedicated board member of Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) and was honored as a PYD LEGEND in 2015. Neil also was a generous cancer research donor, riding in the Pan Mass Challenge and running the Boston Marathon.

A “black diamond” skier who easily navigated the most challenging slopes, Neil displayed his love for his husband Henry by accompanying him down the gentler, groomed trails throughout New England and out West. Known for his boundless creativity, he was much admired for his magnificent marionette puppetry performances of Liza Minnelli’s 2002 wedding to David Gest, his “Morning Walks 2020” photo journal, and his expansive cashmere sweater collection. Whether on an Adriatic Sea cruise, in a corporate board room, at a family gathering, or on a Beacon Hill barstool sipping a “well-poured” martini or a cold Budweiser, Neil’s sparkling personality, wit and cheerfulness endeared him to all.

In addition to his loving husband and mother, Neil is survived by his adored sister Deirdre O’Leary and her husband Mark of North Andover, his dearest brother William B. Leonard and his wife Megan of Westwood, and ten cherished nieces and nephews with whom he enjoyed many festive Christmas Eves featuring his homemade lasagna. He is also survived by his much-loved uncle Barry Leonard of Gloucester, his sister-in-law Catherine Heider and her husband Kenneth of Greenfield, and scores of treasured friends.

His funeral mass will be Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 10am at St. Cecilia Parish, 18 Belvidere St., Boston, MA 02115. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH and parking attendants will assist with parking. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 4pm to 8pm at J.S. Waterman-Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109. Complimentary valet parking is available at front door.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Neil Leonard to Mass General Hospital, Termeer Center Program Fund, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or visit www.giving.massgeneral.org.