Harold A. Leonard

Harold A. Leonard, 74, formerly of East River Rd., Cortland, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the Cortland Park Nursing Center surrounded by his loving family, following a 26- year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

A lifelong area resident, Harold was born September 27, 1944, a son of the late Harold and Lola Barnes Leonard, Sr. 

Following his graduation from Truxton Central in 1963, he enlisted in the US Army, serving one year in Vietnam. He worked on a dairy farm for several years while in high school, and was employed for more than 30 years as a carpenter with the Carpenters Union. He built his home on Potter Rd., McGraw, where he and his wife, Linda, raised their family. He then built their home on East River Rd., Cortland.

Harold was a hardworking and dedicated family man. A strong man, both physically and mentally, he enjoyed woodworking and making maple syrup. He was always quick to help family and friends with building projects and was never satisfied until the project was completed to his liking. He was known for saying “the impossible just takes longer.”

Surviving are his children Laurie Gosse (Mark Cloutier) of Homer and Loren (Kelly) Leonard of Cortland; three grandchildren, Jessica Ware (Charles) and Jacob Gosse and Genevieve Leonard. Also surviving are his siblings, Carolyn (Garry) Aldrich of McGraw; Beverly Sprouse of Cortland; and Richard Leonard (Thelma Hefner) of Freeville; his brother-in-law, Salvatore Ferro of Cortland and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Harold was predeceased by his wife, Linda Morris Leonard in 2018; two sisters, Elsie Ferro and Nancy Smith; his half-brother, Robert Leonard and half-sister, Vena Steele.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Donald L. Barber Funeral Home, 5016 US Route 11, Homer, with Rev. Fran Cochran officiating. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow in East Homer Cemetery, Homer.

The family will receive friends and relatives at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Leonard’s name may directed to the  Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

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