William F. Leonard

William “Bill” Francis Leonard passed from this life on August, 19, 2020, at the age of 92.

Bill was born on December 12, 1927, in the Town of Maynard, MA, to William F and Eva (DePasquale) Leonard. At age one, his family moved to the seaside town of Hull, MA where his father began working for Leonard Real Estate.

As a boy Bill assisted in the family business by helping to maintain rental cottages, where he learned many trade skills that he would utilize throughout his life. After graduating with the Hingham High School Class of 1945 (Hull had no high school at the time) he attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, where he studied engineering. Bill then began his career with New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. in Boston.

During the summer of 1949, he met his sweetheart, Anita at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. However, this budding relationship was interrupted by the Korean War. Bill was drafted into the US Army in 1951 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1953. While in the Army, Bill was primarily stationed in Fort Bragg, GA but also worked in NYC on special assignment with the Pentagon, working with the “new” television technology.

After discharge, Bill and “Teeta” married on September 12, 1953. They purchased their first home in Braintree in 1954, but moved to Hull in 1958 when their growing family required more space.

Their house in Hull was a historic 100 year old, three story structure, previously owned by the Damon family for whom the Damon Elementary School was named. It was located atop Atlantic Hill and provided an expansive view of Nantasket Beach and Paragon Park below, where the screams of those riding the roller coaster could be heard on summer nights.

On April 21, 1963, that same roller coaster caught fire and embers from that fire, carried by the wind, landed on the wooden roof of the Leonard’s home, causing it to burn to the ground.

Bill subsequently moved his family to Framingham, MA where his position with the telephone co. was then located.

After raising his family in Framingham Bill accepted a transfer position in Orlando, FL where he and Teeta moved and eventually retired in 1986. Though living in Florida, Bill and Teeta made it a point to return for cherished visits with family each summer. Bill particularly enjoyed visiting his boyhood home in Hull.

In Orlando, Bill and Teeta enjoyed hosting visits from their children and grandchildren, staying active, playing golf and cards and socializing with their many dear friends.  After 33 wonderful years, Bill and Teeta returned to Massachusetts in 2019 to live with their daughter in Lenox.

Bill is survived by the love of his life, his wife Anita (Zahn) Leonard. Bill and Teeta met 71 years ago and their marriage of 67 years was an inspiring example of love and respect. Bill personified the phrase “happy wife-happy life”. Teeta was his everything.

Bill will also be missed by his son, William F. Leonard and his wife Melanie of Mashpee, MA; daughter Karen Stevens and her husband Mark of Hopedale, MA; daughter Anne Zuber and her husband Robert of Lenox, MA; Son-in-law Stephen Thompson of Barnstable, MA. Sadly, Bill was predeceased by his daughter Patricia Thompson who passed much too soon, in 1997. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Brett Leonard, Anna and Julia Stevens, Daniel and James Zuber and Emily and Patrick Thompson.

Burial service at the Hull Village Cemetery will be private. Expressions of condolence may be sent to the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel: www.DowningChapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

in memory of Bill’s beloved daughter, Patty,

to support cancer research and patient care at:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284

 via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.

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