Joseph P. Leonard, 62, of Tobyhanna, PA died peacefully on August 18, 2023, after a long but dignified battle with Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s. He endured his diagnosis with grace, tremendous patience, and occasional humor.
Joe was the youngest son of the late William and Thelma Leonard. Joe retired from Toshiba Medical, where he worked as a Service Technician for 27 years.
Joe was a proud fourth generation ice harvester. Together with his brother, sister, extended family and friends, Joe played a pivotal role in the Millpond #1 Ice Harvests held each winter for the past 30 years in Tobyhanna, PA. He was a key planner and organizer of the annual event, which reenacts an important industry in the Poconos. He thoroughly enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones every year.
Joe had an amazing ability to figure things out and fix problems. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Tobyhanna Conservation Association. He was an avid cyclist, and he enjoyed finding and exploring caves. He had a keen eye for photography. Best of all, he had a dry sense of humor and a quick wit.
Joe had a special gift for making friends. Almost without exception if you met Joe, he liked you, and you liked him. His engaging humor and sincere honesty provided him with the ability to connect with everyone he met. His childhood buddies from Tobyhanna remained his lifelong good friends. His co-workers at Toshiba had great respect for and thought the world of Joe even years after his early retirement. One of his co-workers recently commented that everyone liked Joe, even the most difficult customer. A handyman and thoughtful neighbor, he had lots of friends when he lived in Lititz. Even near the end of his struggle with Lewy Body, he made numerous new friends in Ohio. Joe’s kindness and genuine care for others was an inspiration to all. His last thoughtful act was to proudly donate his brain for research to help find a cure for dementia for the next generation.
Joe is survived by his “favorite” sister, Marilou Hitt and her husband, Brian, of Orange Village, OH; his “favorite” brother, William Leonard, and his wife, Diane, of Tobyhanna, PA; his cherished extended family of aunts and many cousins as well as his adopted daughter, Lexi Leonard, of York, PA whom he loved.
Joe’s sister and brother would like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers during Joe’s life and in the months before his death, particularly the staff of Maplewood in Twinsburg and Holy Family Hospice for their excellent care for Joe over the last two months. In addition, we are grateful to InMotion in Beachwood and the Cleveland Clinic neurology doctors and staff. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pocono Heritage Land Trust, 1539 Cherry Lane Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 www.phlt.org
Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Poconos on September 8 followed by interment at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Joe’s life will also be celebrated at a Memorial Mass at the Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Rd, Solon, OH on Friday, September 15 at 12:30 pm. FRIENDS MAY CALL FOR MEMORIAL VISITATION FROM 11:30 A.M. UNTIL THE TIME OF JOE’S MASS.
ARRANGEMENTS BY FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME https://www.ferfolia.com/
