Paul T. Leonard died peacefully on May 12th 2016 at his home in Tucson, Arizona after a long battle with hydrocephalus and vascular dementia. Pat Leonard, his wife of 61 years and best friend was with him.
Paul,
The time has come for us to part
Your departure has left emptiness in many hearts
We must release you-this we know
God has called you and you must go
You had a passion for family love and pride
And it was strong 'till the day you died
It breaks our heart to lose you
But you do not go alone
Part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
With Love, Pat
Paul is survived by his children: Denise (Deni) Dickson (husband, Dennis) of Indianapolis, IN, Lori Wheeler (husband, Jon) of Walla Walla, WA, Paul T. Leonard, Jr. (wife, Denise) of Hayden Lake, ID, Mary Leonard of Los Angeles, CA and foster-son, Hank L. Phan of Murrieta, CA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jonathan Wheeler, Nicole (Kellen) Clemens, Cassie (Vincent) Glondo, Jamie Wheeler, Brittany (Michael) Ratelle, Paul Leonard III (Mary Alice), Madison Leonard and Hannah Leonard and twelve great grandchildren: Samantha and Beckham Wheeler, Kate, Grant and Scarlet Clemens, Gracie, Dominic and Gianna Glondo, Eleanor, Charlotte and Emmett Ratelle and Liv Leonard.
Paul is also survived by his brother, Philip Leonard, his sister Mary Bassett, and 69 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to either;
Santa Catalina Catholic Church
14380 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85737
Attention: Susan Budrow
OR
Hospice Family Care
6300 El Dorado Plaza, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85755
Attention: Robin Perez.
Please make donations in Memory of Paul T. Leonard.
Tributes
Leave a tributeCathy and Bill
Fluffy
<3 Tweets
We would make sure they have 91 candles in heaven. That is a lot of candles to blow out, but we know you could do it, Daddy-O!!!!!!!! Love you to bits!!!!! D & D
We have extra special memories of you today, on your birthday. You were always big on having birthday celebrations. We are confident that the angels in heaven will have a crown for you, candles, German chocolate cake and ice cream. We will sing "Happy Birthday" and we know you will be able to hear us! We send our love and look forward to joining you!!
We think about you every day, but especially on your SPECIAL day! We will be having dinner with Fluffy tonight and we will make a special toast to you!!
We will be together one day! With love , D & D
We are thinking about your father today and your mother. We miss both you and Dennis.
The days are passing by and life is short.
Being together and appreciating friendship- one day we won’t be able to - let’s not let time prevent us from doing so-❤️
We miss you every day, but particularly on Father's Day! At Mass this evening, there was a special blessing for all the Fathers--we looked up to the skies as we blessed you! Love you to the moon and back.
Deni and Dennis
I miss you every day. <3 Tweets
Momina and I had breakfast this morning and beckoned you to join us. We are thinking of you today….. and always. Wish you were here to take a drive out to see the "Big O" and have some lunch.
Love you always,
Tweets
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you.
I Love you very much, Mary
Those who have left us are not absent, they are only invisible. Their eyes, full of joy, are fixed on ours, full of tears. They are always with us. -Saint Augustine
Dennis and Deni
It was four years ago today, that you left us; we knew that it was a blessing that your suffering here on earth would end. We think of you often and miss you SO VERY MUCH!!
With Love and Prayers,
Deni and Big D
You are in my thoughts and in my heart.
Always.
XXOO, Mary
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt that the sun doth move
Doubt that truth to be a liar
But never doubt that I love - you.
(Hamlet)
RIP, Big Guy
I am a day late, so this post will not show up on your Birthday! However, no big deal right? Cause no need for birthdays in heaven, for everyday is a day of happiness and joy in the presence of our merciful God. It is a beautiful day here in Walla Walla. I probably never really thanked you and God enough over the years for the gift of your daughter Lori. She has been the perfect life partner for me! She is by far the most talented and gifted woman I know. You can revel in the glories of heaven knowing you and Pat changed and blessed my life with the gift of life thru your daughter Lori. I will always love you and the gift forever! Love you “Bigger than a Mountain”
Jon
I am not quite ready for the Philharmonic, but practice makes perfect. Dad could not hear this song often enough on his birthday.
With love and many good memories.
Deni
We miss you friend.
You haven’t gone away, you walk beside me every day…Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved and still missed. You are in my heart, in my thoughts, and in my life always.
XXOO, Tweets
From Mark and Paricia Whitworth
yesterday and days before that , too. I think of you in silence and I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. You memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part. God has you in his loving hands. I have you in my heart!
RIP
When ever things got tough or problems arose Paul would say this.
When he did I always visualized an old in medieval times.
I always will remember this. He will be missed
Love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow!
The world needs more Like him.
Dave Nafziger
Fluffy
Your Fluff
Three years ago today, we lost you, but we know you are in a much better place. We are always together in spirit. You will be with us today as we celebrate Mother’s Day. We are in the Wee Village, Tweets will be preparing a special meal; Hung and Sue A. will be joining Mom, Big D and I for the day.
We know that you would love the newest member of the family, Rufus,
He will not be allowed to eat bran muffins❗️ Love you to bits, Deni
May God Bless you, Pat, in sharing him with us.
Thank you for your love, your generosity, your humor and lit but loyal debates. You've taught me a lot of things, except how to live without you. Love you, Mary
Those who have left us are not absent, they are only invisible. Their eyes, full of joy, are fixed on ours, full of tears. They are always with us. -Saint Augustine
Daddy-O, I think of you every day; Your bride misses you but I feel so lucky to give her a hug every day. ❤️
A Great Soul
By Maya Angelou
“A great soul serves everyone all the time.
A great soul never dies.
It brings us together again and again.”
I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new. I thought of you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence and I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part. God has you in his keeping and I have you in my heart.
Happy Anniversary
Leave a Tribute
Cathy and Bill
Please be patient.
Great Friends-
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Dad was born 85 years ago today. What a full life he lived! If he was with us today, we would have baked a spice cake with German chocolate icing. We would have made him a crown out of tin foil which he would have worn all day. He would have wanted us to sing "Happy Birthday" to him throughout the day--(what happened to his humility?)
We do think about him every day and know he his looking down on us.
We look forward to being with you, Dad.
With all our love, XXXOOO, Big D and Deni
How Lucky I am
How lucky I am.....
--To be Mom and Dad's first born
--To be the child that strongly favored Dad in looks and temperament
--To have had a tall, handsome gentleman for a hero, one named, Dad
--To have a Dad who taught me many important lessons, maybe first and foremost, the fact that I could do anything I wanted in life
--To have Dad as a role model, especially in my career in business
--To have shared so many womderful times with Mom and Dad, our best friends and neighbors in Saddlebrooke, for over two decades
--To be in Tucson as Dad's health declined; although this period was extremely difficult, it was a very special time to be by his side, with Mom.
--To have had the chance to say a long "Good-bye" to Dad; this was the hardest thing that I have done in my life, but I know that he is in a much better place and one day we will be together again.
Thank you, Daddy-O; I love you, Deni