Obituary of Francis E. "Buddy" Leonard

Francis E. “Buddy” Leonard PEABODY—Francis E. “Buddy” Leonard, 87, died peacefully Tuesday evening at the Beverly Hospital surrounded by his loving wife Kathleen (McCarthy) Leonard and his six children. Born in Peabody, he was the youngest son of Irish immigrants John and Delia (Rooney) Leonard. He was a lifelong resident of Peabody. He graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1938, where he was Captain of the Basketball Team and excelled in baseball. He met his patriotic obligation during World War II as he served with distinction in the United States Navy. He was assigned extensive action in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatre of Operations. Mr. Leonard continued his life of service, as his Civic Duty involved working as a Fire Alarm Superintendent for 36 years, serving the City of Peabody, before retiring in 1983. Buddy was a gifted athlete, and continued his involvement in sports following his military service. In 1947 he was voted recipient of the Harold Winslow Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the North Shore Baseball League. He was a Coach and Founder of Peabody Little League, and coached the St. John’s Parish CYO Basketball Team. He also was inducted into the Peabody High School Sports Hall of Fame. Professionally, he was a Past President of the Essex County Signal Association. Personally, he was a daily communicant of St. John the Baptist Parish in Peabody for many years, and will be dearly missed by family and friends as his greatest joy was his family. He is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Kathleen M. (McCarthy) Leonard of Peabody; four sons Francis E. & Donna Leonard, Jr. of Rowley, Peter & Judith Leonard of East Kingston, NH, Thomas & Maureen Leonard of Peabody and John Leonard of Ipswich; two daughters, Katherine & George Soteropoulos of Peabody and Susan & Jeff Linehan of Salem; nine grandchildren, Peter, Amy, and Kara Soteropoulos, Sandy and Eddy Leonard, Megan and Sean Linehan, Brendan Leonard and Michael Leonard, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, John, Edward, Rita Byrne and Marion Leonard. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 AM from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in St. John’s Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.