John "Jack" P. Leonard

Retired United States Ambassador John P. (Jack) Leonard of Bonita, CA, died peacefully at his home on May 13, 2013. The cause was lymphoma. Born in 1940 in New York, NY, he was the loving husband of Norma V. Leonard.

He served with distinction in the U.S. Foreign Service for 34 years and retired in 1999. Noteworthy among his accomplishments as a diplomat were his untiring efforts to bring peace and democracy to war-torn Nicaragua leading up to the 1990 elections there, his strong leadership while serving as U.S. Ambassador to Suriname, and his service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Secretary of Sate George Schultz wrote in 1988 to commend him and his staff at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua for "professional, dedication and enthusiasm" in carrying out United States policy, and extended special thanks for their work to "promote democracy in Nicaragua."

President George H.W. Bush, in a personal letter in 1990, conveyed appreciation for his "outstanding work in Managua." The president stated that, "Your intelligence, diligence and perseverance under extremely adverse conditions and your endless hours of work contributed mightily to reaching this day of democratic transition in Nicaragua. I know that you served as an anchor for our policy amidst repeated expulsions of diplomats on your staff and during periods of bilateral tension and physical hardship. You have exemplified the best in service to our country."

The Department of State Career Achievement Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 1999 honored Ambassador Leonard, who, she stated, "represents the very best of the United States Foreign Service, for a career that was distinguished by his dedication to public service, intellectual integrity and high skill in practicing the profession of diplomacy."

The son of Richard A. and Elizabeth P. Leonard, he grew up in Larchmont, NY and graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, MA and Harvard College. After serving in the U.S. Military Intelligence in Korea he joined the U.S. Foreign Service.

He is survived by his wife Norma, his children Yeardley Leonard of New York, NY and Christopher B. Leonard of Boulder, CO, his grandchildren Eliza Reed and Cassius Reed, and his brothers Anthony C. Leonard of Guilford, CT and Richard W. Leonard of Hastings-On-Hudson, NY.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 12:30 pm at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 1120 Cuyamaca Ave, Chula Vista, CA and the funeral mass will be at 2:00 pm. Interment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA will take place on July 5, 2013 at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.