John A. Leonard

A gentle man and a gentleman, John left his family and friends on May 14.  As always, John did his very best, but this time he lost the toughest battle of his life, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in Chicago.  He died after a long illness, following complications from heart surgery, on New Year’s Eve.  As John would say, “What are you gonna do?”

A fun-loving, lively and active 75 year-old, John was the dear husband of Katie for 52 years, and the proud Dad and “Pops” of Kitty Finn (Mark Arvin),  John  Leonard (Amy);  Bridget Purdome (Mark) and Michael Leonard (Monica Sullivan).  He was a special Grandpa and “Poppy” to granddaughters Molly, Claire and Julia Leonard, Caitlin and Megan Purdome; and grandsons Matthew, Ryan and John Michael Leonard, Jr. He and Katie never missed any important events - from baptisms to band concerts, first grade shows to graduations. He will always be remembered by his sister Justine Leonard as her dear “bratz” and as a favorite golfing partner of sister-in-law of Sheila Mehigan. He will be missed by other family members and many friends in Inverness and the Chicago area; Fontana, WI; Naples, FL and his home town, Milwaukee, WI.

John and Katie met when they were students at Marquette University in the 1950s. Katie was Queen of the Holly Ball in1958 and John was her King.  Ever since, each family gathering has been a celebration of their loving and caring marriage. These events just won’t be the same without John telling his funny stories and corny jokes (“Was it Hawaii or Havaii?”), which always brought tears to his eyes and groans from the family.

John’s life was an outstanding example of honesty, integrity and loyalty.   He was a mentor to young people, never without a kind word and encouragement.  John treasured his Catholic faith and it provided his moral compass to always do the right thing.  His kind and giving ways touched the Big Shoulder’s Fund, The Marquette University Alumni Association, Catholic Charities, The St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. James Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Church and many others.

John’s career was in the insurance business, and included many years as a Vice President at MONY and later at Pacific Mutual Life.  A proud Marquette graduate, he was a huge (and sometimes frustrated) MU basketball fan.  After his retirement, John finally had time to relax with a few more rounds of golf, fly fishing, daily walks, perfecting his omelet making and grilling skills and enjoying his favorite drink, a good bourbon Manhattan.

Special thanks for the care and dedication of the surgeons, physicians, nurses, hospice care and staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines. John’s last days at Northwestern were a joyous - and sometimes noisy - celebration of his life, surrounded by his loving family who provides many hugs, lots of prayers and blessings, retelling of family jokes and stories, a few pizzas and even a rousing game of Charades. You could tell John didn’t want to leave the party!  

Family and friends are invited to continue the celebration at a visitation from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., (4 blocks south of Palatine Rd.), Arlington Heights, IL. Prayers 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 18 at the funeral home followed by 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 W. Palatine Rd., Inverness, IL 60067. Memorials in John’s name would be appreciated to Holy Family Catholic Church Holyfamilyparish.org or Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, Maryknollsociety.org.

Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

 

Glueckert Funeral Home

(847) 253-0168

1520 North Arlington Heights Road

Arlington Heights, IL 60004