John Joseph Leonard

Jack was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. His fondest memories as a youth were the times he spent with a fishing pole in his hand at Sheepshead Bay, along with watching the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbetts Field. He was a lifelong Yankee & NY Giants fan.

Jack served in the Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. In 1979, he moved to Budd Lake, NJ where he met and married his wife of 37 years, Karen (Burdi). Jack and Karen bought their first home in Hackettstown, NJ. It was there they raised their children, John Thomas Leonard & Sara Marie Leonard. Jack was a dedicated and trusted Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual Life for over 30 years. In 2016, Jack & Karen left NJ to fully enjoy their retirement on Marco Island, Florida.

Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many years fishing the ocean off Cape Cod and flyfishing the streams of northwestern NJ. In the last 4 years, he learned to fish the backwaters of Southwest Florida in his beloved Skeeter. But what Jack loved most of all was teaching others how to cast, catch a redfish, and tie a fly. He will always be remembered for his passion for the outdoors & his love of his family and friends.

Jack was predeceased by his father John A Leonard, his mother Mary (Manning) Leonard, and his brother Thomas Joseph Leonard. In addition to Karen, John and Sara, Jack is survived by his daughter Lynne Marie Recco, and his sisters Kathleen Duffy and Mary Jo Rossbach. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 9th, at 10AM at St Mark the Evangelist, 59 Spring Lane, Long Valley NJ. A luncheon will follow at Mattar’s Bistro, Route 517, Allamuchy Township, NJ. If you would like to honor Jack’s memory, donations may be made to Daytop Samaritan Village, 138-02 Queens Blvd, Briarwood, New York 11435-2647.