Obituary of Michael John Leonard

Michael John Leonard passed away surrounded by the love and light he created within his family on February 5, 2025 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville. He had shared 75 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, unforgettable memories, and priceless wisdom with family and friends.

Born in Glen Ridge, NJ to the late Grace (Moran) and Robert Leonard, Michael was one of four children raised in Boonton. Growing up they enjoyed hunting, fishing, crabbing, and spending time outdoors. He graduated from Boonton High School in 1967. Michael married his best friend, Claudia (Lash) in 1970. Together they raised two beautiful children before Claudia passed away in 1999. He had many jobs throughout his life; most notably as a Custodian for Boonton Board of Education from which he retired in 2014. He also enjoyed his work at Lexdep Cadillac Dealer as an Auto Mechanic in Florham Park. He always worked hard whether he was making money for it, or not. Michael broke the mold when he was born; he was true salt of the earth. He truly lived his life serving others and having fun. Anyone that needed anything, friend, family, or even foe, he was there to help. He would give his time, knowledge, energy, whatever was needed. Michael was lucky enough to find love again later in life. On May 31, 2007 he and Janet Lynn (Halsey) were wed; they have remained happy together ever since.

Michael was always on the move, he never sat around. The memories made on the many fishing trips took will forever be etched in our hearts, especially when we went deep sea fishing. He loved time spent at the horse track and tinkering around the house and in the garage on vintage cars. Michael was always eager to get in the car and take a ride. It didn’t matter the destination and sometimes there wasn’t one. He loved to travel and would often take an 8-hour drive to South of the Border, SC to spend the weekend before driving back home. If you were lucky, Michael would just show up at your house for a visit. He never called and we were always happy to see him. While others joke about how intolerable their family is, Michael truly adored his family. He was best friends with his siblings, he made sure to spend quality time with his children, his grandchildren were always first on his mind and could do no wrong, and to his nieces and nephews he was always the “Fun” uncle making sure they had fireworks from PA. He would take them on the road trip, too and make sure to stop at the flea market to bring home something that Mom and Dad said they weren’t allowed to have. He was amazing at finding the best deals since he was always traveling! We will miss him at our annual family vacation in South Carolina.

Michael will be sorely missed and never forgotten; his legacy will live on for generations to come. Although we are deeply saddened by his passing, we take comfort in knowing he is now reunited with his parents, Robert and Grace, his first wife, Claudia, and his step-son, Stephen Bos.  

His legacy will live on in the hearts of his beloved wife, Janet; his loving children, Michael (Sara) Leonard and Michelle Leonard; his cherished granddaughters, Claudia Leonard and Bailey Leonard; his caring step-children, Melisa (Nicasio) Tavarez and Eric (Desire) Bos; his precious step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Bryan, Amy, Tristan, Jasmine, Aiden, Aliyah, Lucas, and Mason; his treasured siblings, Maureen (Joe) Cosentino, James P. (Denise) Leonard, and Thomas Robert (Cathy) Leonard; his favorite aunt, Patty (Gordon) Roush; and his dear nieces and nephews, Anthony Cosentino, John Cosentino, Tina Cosentino, Karen Leonard, Kim Ragazzo, James E. Leonard, Libby Leonard, Bernadette Woerner, Danny Leonard, and their families.

Relatives and friends are welcome to visit with his family on Thursday, February 13th from 4 - 8 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. A Faith and Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, February 14th at 11 am at Norman Dean Home for Services; please arrive at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Denville Cemetery in Denville. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Michael's name by way of www.inmemof.org to either the Denville Fire Department or any charity of your choice. Please share your favorite memory of Michael here to continue to commemorate his life.