Msgt. (Retired) Patrick Arthur Leonard

Msgt. (Retired) Patrick Arthur Leonard, age 84, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024 at his home in Fredericksburg, VA. He was born on February 15, 1940 in Verdun, Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the late Walter Patrick and Constance Victoria (Woods) Leonard. Pat spent his formative years in Verdun growing up on 2nd Avenue. He attended St. Willibrord High School and was a star on their hockey team as well as the Norman Dawe Pee Wee League in Verdun. He was known for his slapshot and continued to play at the semi-pro hockey level. He also excelled playing in the baseball leagues during his younger years. Pat really enjoyed boating on the St. Lawrence River with the Verdun Yacht Club before he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959. Pat proudly served for 22 years, retiring in 1981. Entering service as a supply specialist, he was assigned to a number of positions related to aircraft maintenance management and munitions management in the US and overseas. His overseas service was significant, almost ten years, with assignments in: Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Turkey. His military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal Army, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Pat’s love of sports, led him to coaching his sons’ baseball teams; in the early 70’s for the farm league (Workingman’s Friend) in Rome, NY and Little League baseball at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. He also supported AYSO soccer at VAFB as the league manager. Following his retirement, Pat worked for various defense contractors (BDM, TASC, and Northrup Grumman) in logistics and facilities management. Pat enjoyed endlessly updating his home and was the ‘go-to’ guy for his neighbors and friends. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, entertaining family and friends, and sports, particularly ice hockey. He continued to play hockey in his senior years and could regularly be found skating at the ice rink. Pat is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Daphne Leonard; four children: Barry Lynch (Helen), James Leonard (Susan), Timothy Lynch (Bridget) and Amanda Mills; three siblings: Diane Vaux, Arthur Leonard and Sharon Granofsky; seven grandchildren: Zoe Lynch, Zachary Leonard, Kaitlyn Leonard, Julianna Ianuzi, Colin Lynch, Logan Lynch and Chase Mills; and extended family. His brother, James Leonard, preceded him in death. A private committal service will be held at Quantico National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or Mary Washington Hospice, 2300 Fall Hill Avenue, Suite 401, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401