Obituary of Edward J. Leonard

Edward J. Leonard, 87, of Peabody, died Wednesday afternoon at the Rosewood Nursing Home, Peabody, following a brief illness. Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late John and Delia (Rooney) Leonard. He was a lifelong resident of Peabody and a graduate of Peabody High School where he excelled as a member of the varsity Baseball and Basketball teams. He was a veteran of World War II who served in the United States Army. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart as well as the Asiatic Pacific Theatre and European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbons. After the War, he worked for over 30 years as an embosser for the Hunt-Rankin Leather Company before retiring many years ago. He was a member of the Peabody Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 11, Peabody and a long time communicant of St. John’ s Church, Peabody. He played semi-pro baseball for the Cardinals and later for the SAS Club of Peabody in the North Shore Baseball league. He also played for the St. John’ s Holy Name Basketball team that won the city championship in 1947. He coached for many years along with his brother Bud the Cardinals in the Peabody Little League Baseball. He was also an avid fisherman for many years in the ponds and salt water of the North Shore and enjoyed watching sports at Emerson Park. He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Francis Bud and Kathleen Leonard of Peabody and a sister, Rita Byrne of Lynn as well as several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late John Leonard and Marion Leonard and brother-in-law of the late Thomas Byrne. His funeral service will be held on Saturday at 8:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Peabody Facility, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:00 AM in St. John’ s Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visitation on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in St. Mary’ s Cemetery, Salem.