John Francis Leonard, 72, passed into eternal life on February 19, 2020 after a long illness. He was born on April 25, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to John and Natalie (Rodelberger) Leonard, and grew up in the East New York sec on of Brooklyn and Alexandria, VA. He married Eileen Frances McGill of the Glendale sec on of Queens, NY in 1971.
He graduated from St. John’s University in Queens in 1973 and worked in the New York State courts as a Court Officer and Court Clerk, working in courthouses in Kew Gardens and Jamaica, Queens. He was accepted as a night student in St. John’s University’s School of Law in 1976 and earned a Juris Doctorate in 1980 while working full me during the day. He passed the New York Bar Exam in 1981 and spent the remainder of his career as a legal secretary in the New York State court system in Queens and Staten Island. Star ng in 1967, he joined the New York City Auxiliary Police, rising to the rank of Precinct Captain and serving intermittently until 1990.
In 1988, he moved with his family to Dunellen, NJ and passed the New Jersey Bar Exam in 1991. He served as the Municipal Court Judge in Dunellen and South Bound Brook. Known for his sense of humor in the courtroom, as well as his pragmatism and fairness, his court sessions were reported as a “real slice of life” by local news media. He was an active member of the American Legion in Dunellen, having served in the United States Marine Corps, and served as a Chaplain and Judge Advocate. In 2014, he and his wife moved back to Queens, NY. John was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in both Dunellen and Glendale.
A devout Roman Catholic, he was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in
Glendale. He was an avid reader of history, a motorcycle enthusiast, and model railroader and instilled a love of animals and pets in his children. He loved to recount stories from the old days on the streets of Brooklyn and the colorful characters that made up his childhood. Believing that the greatest aspect to being an attorney was the ability to help others, he provided countless people with free legal assistance.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Eileen, daughters Patricia and Barbara Bachmann (Thomas), and son John (Adriana). He is also survived by his brother Brian, sister-in-law Susan, nieces Gayle and Karen, and nephew Brian, grandnieces Anna and Gracie, and countless friends whom he treasured. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Glendale, NY with interment at Cypress Hills Cemetery, Queens.
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