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