Leonard Randolph Pilgrim

Leonard Randolph Pilgrim, Sr, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 9, 2012. He passed peacefully in his sleep, finally succumbing to the debilitating effects of Parkinson disease. He began his journey home surrounded by the dedicated medical and nursing staff of Life Care Center of Altamonte Springs.

Known affectionately as Ranny to his friends and family, the second of three children born to Samuel Leonard Pilgrim and Helena Daniel Massiah, came into the world on November 3, 1924 in Barbados, West Indies. He attended St. Christopher’s Primary and Foundation Schools in Christ Church parish. After leaving school he traveled to Curacao to work in an oil refinery. That time marked the beginning of his love of motorcycles and he took to riding an Indian 4 around the island. After a few years, he then set “across the pond” to study engineering science in Sussex, England and indulge his love of cycling, traveling the southeastern countryside on two- or three-wheel transportation. He briefly returned to Bimshire before immigrating to the United States in the early 1950s.

On September 1, 1956, he married his wife of 52 years, Pearl, in New York, where they raised 3 children and 4 foster children. They remained married until her death in 2008. During the early years in the States Ranny engaged in direct sales of life insurance, Stanley Products, and Presto Cookware. He later pursued a long and productive career in purchasing working for Sealomatic, a heat-sealing equipment manufacturer, for 25 years and finally with the Federal government’s Job Corps program from which he retired in 1996 after 12 years of dedicated service. He was powerful swimmer, enjoyed following cricket and baseball -- big time NY Mets fan -- and playing soccer with his son.

Beloved father, uncle, and friend, he is survived by his daughter Renée Iona Fischer, his son and namesake, Leonard Randolph Pilgrim, Jr., a brother, Leslie Pilgrim, granddaughters Trinette Bellamy Pilgrim and Teisha Bellamy Heming, and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends.

Parkinson’s may have robbed him of the use of his body but never did it dampen his quick wit, generous spirit and loving heart. His legacy lives on in each of the lives he touched. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers please send donations to National Parkinson Foundation.