- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
James R. Leonard
Obituary for James R. Leonard, Jr.rnrnThe most powerful part of Jim’s body was the ear. Listening abilities made him the ideal guidance counselor at Salem Co. Vo Tech. As a Leonard, football was in his genes: Sunday football united the generations. He suffered from polio as a boy, but still managed to become a feared center. He loved the Eagles and look forward to a Phillies repeat. Being a supportive dad and pop-pop was job one: “I’m not going to tell you what to do, but…“, he’d say and he was always first at the door with soup and Jell-O for sick grandkids. He had South Jersey sand in his shoes: he loved his homestead on Rt. 322, farmed and worked as a broker to area farmers. It bound him to the land: he knew where the eagles nested, the hawks flew and ducks swam. The wit with which he delivered his never ending stream of jokes, his knowledge of trivia, and grasp of history highlighted his intellect. rnSurvived by those he loved best: daughters, Barbara Ridinger (Steve ) and Dee Hackett (Josh), son James R. ,3rd, his sister Ann McFadden and grandchildren: Jamie, Joshua, and Kristopher Hackett, Rachel, Stephanie, and Daniel Petrille.rnCome celebrate 70 great years Tuesday from 6 to8 PM and Wednesday from 10AM at Daley life Celebration Studio, 1518 Kings Hwy., Swedesboro where the service will be at 11AM. Burial St. Joseph’s Cemetery. rnTell a great story about Jim at www.lifecelebrationstudio.com. rnrn
5 Comments
Had some good times at Kingsway way back when…you will be missed.n May God have mercy on you and help your family during this sad time.
Mr. Leonard was an excellent guidance counselor. He was always willing to listen and direct you in the right direction. I remember when he would stop to visit the students in the cosmetology class at SCVTS, and he always had a joke to tell. He will be missed.rnrnKelly MorrisrnSCVTS Cosmetology, 2004
I worked with Jim at the Prep Center, SCVTS. He was the counselor for our program and he brought with him a strong desire to supply corrective suggestions and assistance to even the most troubled of students. He continued to grow in his ability to be as effective as possible seeking to supply the ear to hear and the voice to steer. I will miss Jim and my life is better from being associated with him.
Your dad was the first counselor that I worked with in the Prep Center when I started at the vo-tech. His encouragement and humor has kept me here ever since. I truly admired him and thought the world of him too. I have worked with numerous counselors since, but none have the spark, wisdom, or unending love for the students like your dad. Everyone knew that the harsh front he presented was only paper thin and that he was a very loving and caring person. He always spoke highly of his kids and grandkids. Since his retirement a week has not gone by that I don’t make a Jim Leonard reference to someone. Be it his words of wisdom or one of his witty comments. Jim will be in my memory forever and I will truly miss him. He was a wonderful person.
We were so shocked to learn of Jim’s death from thernRohrman’s. Jim was one we always tried to visit when we made our visits to Dad Sparks twice a year. Jim and Larry didn’t stop laughing and sharing the new rnstories of the East Coast and the West Coast. I do remember when we were first married and made our first trip to Swedesboro – going out to the farm for famous Jersey tomato’s, Italian Bread and sitting watching football. Time has gone on – Rest In PeacernJim.