HOWLAND – Eugene B. Leonard, 74, died of cancer Jan. 26, 2012. He was the husband of the late Frances Jean (Miller) Leonard. He was born April 15, 1937, in West Enfield, son of Francis V. and Odella M. (Shorette) Leonard.
He was a faithful communicant of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Howland, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion. After serving 8 1/2 years in the U.S. Army, Gene was employed as a supervisor at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, Conn., for 6 1/2 years. Gene owned and operated an antique business for a brief time period while residing in Connecticut. While residing in Connecticut, he became interested in digging for arrowheads and other artifacts and belonged to Archaeological Society of Connecticut. Gene and his family moved to Edinburg, in 1968. Prior to his retirement in 1999, he worked for Lincoln Pulp and Paper for 27 years. After retiring, Gene and his wife, Fran, spent many winters in Florida. Gene enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and gardening.
He is survived by his son, Francis V. Leonard of Bangor; three daughters, Pamela A. Leonard of Mill Valley, Calif., Angela M. Briggs and her husband, Michael Briggs, of Wasilla, Alaska, and Cynthia A. Leonard of Tacoma, Wash.; four grandchildren, Maryanne Hawkes, Timothy Briggs, Meghan Leonard and Jillian Leonard; four great-grandchildren, Nathan Drouin, Ian Hawkes, Orion Hawkes and Xienna Hanscome; brothers, Vaughn Leonard and his wife, Joan Leonard, of West Enfield, Gerald Leonard and his wife, Theresa, of Lincoln, K. David Leonard and his wife, Roberta, of Howland, William Leonard of Enfield, and Dennis Leonard and his wife, Renate, of Lincoln; two sisters, Patricia Shorey and her husband, Gilbert, of Burlington, and F. Marie Leonard of Bangor; three sisters-in-law, Margot Leonard of Enfield, Conn., Linda Leonard of Baileyville and Ruth Edwards of Fond du Lac, Wis.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife of 52 years, Frances, he was predeceased by an infant daughter, Cynthia Ann; and three brothers, Joseph, D. Michael and Lawrence Leonard.
Relatives and friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Jan. 28 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Howland, with the Rev. James MacGee officiating. Interment will be at a later time at St. Matthew’s Cemetery, West Enfield. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at
www.clayfuneralhome.com.