John "Jack" Francis Leonard

John Francis Leonard (Jack) passed away on June 10th, 2016. He was born on New Year's Eve in Dorchester, MA. Jack was the son of Mary (Connolly) Leonard and John Thomas Leonard, both deceased.

Jack leaves behind his beloved wife Marcia of 28 years and Jack's two daughters, Jennifer Leonard of New York City and Kerry Leonard of Quincy, MA, who were the joy of his life. He also leaves his stepchildren Sharon Dixon and her partner Nat Santoro of South Yarmouth and Eastham, Lisa Forness and her husband Kevin from St. Louis, MO, and Russell Kingman and his partner Shannon Eldredge of Chatham. Jack will be sorely missed by his only sister Marie Harvey and her husband Bob of Wynnewood, PA and Marshfield, and their three living sons Michael, Will, and Sean. Christopher, Marie's first born, passed away in 1999.

Jack graduated from Mission High School in Dorchester in 1964 and from Boston State College in 1968. He was a member of the Air National Guard, where he met many of his lifelong friends. After a short career as an English teacher, Jack moved to Cape Cod and became a Juvenile Probation Officer with the Barnstable County Courthouse. This was a career he pursued for 33 years, retiring in 2002. He was also a favorite and treasured bartender at Clancy's of Dennisport for 33 years and was voted Best Bartender on Cape Cod more than once.

During his active years Jack umpired softball and baseball games on the Cape. He was a dedicated runner in his younger days and ran many local races, topping off his career as a runner when he ran the Boston Marathon in 1981.

Jack loved life, and he was a caring and dedicated family man. He was kind, generous, fun and always a gentleman. He loved travel, Mayflower Beach, restaurants, reading, music, and home. Jack was a sports fanatic and an avid fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. He will be greatly missed by all his friends, and he will be forever held in the hearts of his family who love him so much.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Liberty Commons Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Chatham for the extraordinary care that Jack was privileged to receive there, as well as Janice Matheson who guided the family through Jack's transition. Their high level of skill and competence was delivered with love.

Visiting hours will be held for Jack at the Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home on Route 134 in South Dennis on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 4:00-7:00pm and on the morning of Thursday, June 16th from 9:00-11:00, with a service there at 11:00am. Reception will follow at the Irish Village on Route 28 in South Yarmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Yarmouth or South Dennis library.