Leonard "Lennie" Martin Deveau

Leonard (Lennie) Deveau of Gretna, Louisiana, died peacefully in his sleep at home on December 25, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with liver cancer. He was 74. Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Lennie graduated from The English High School in Boston in 1967 and continued his education in trade school for drafting. In 1969, he joined the US Navy Reserve because it gave him the flexibility to work or go to school while serving his country. He decided to become a career sailor and was assigned to several units (HS-74, NAS Cecil Field, NAS New Orleans, HSL-74, and Naval Reserve Forces Command). He earned qualification badges and awards, including the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist badge, the Navy Pistol Qualification medal (Sharpshooter Marksmanship), and several service, achievement, and meritorious medals. Lennie retired in 1995 in New Orleans as a Chief Petty Officer but continued working for the Navy on NALCOMIS for 20 years through Commander Naval Air Reserve Force and STi and TEK Source USA as a civilian.

Lennie married Barbara Springer in 1973, and they had two daughters, Heather and Christen. His Navy career allowed him and his family to live in Florida, Louisiana, and Massachusetts, and it provided him the opportunity to visit other places, including Cuba, Panama, and the Bahamas.

Outside of work, Lennie loved fishing and woodworking, often using his grandfather’s tools to create beautiful furniture, statues, and wall art. Later in life, he hung up the fishing poles and found another passion in crafting and caring for bonsai trees. He continued woodworking, focusing on custom-made canes and walking sticks. He was quick to share words of wisdom with family, friends, and shipmates alike, teaching them to think on their toes and reminding them to be smart and take risks.

He was proud of his wife and children and their accomplishments, but his real joy came in being a grandfather. He loved making gifts for them and was often seen at their sporting and school events.

Lennie is preceded in death by his parents, Claire and Leonard; his nephew John Matthew Farinato; and his best friend Joseph “Skip” Brunetto. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; his daughters, Heather Deveau and Christen Humble (Branden); his grandchildren, Taylor and Easton Humble; his sister, Meredith Farinato; his nephew, Nicholas Farinato; his niece, Samantha Farinato-Iannazzo (Ethan); his other best friend, Michael Burson; and cousins, friends, and shipmates nationwide.

A military funeral service will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery at 12:45 p.m. on July 18, 2024.