James A. Leonard

June 18, 1919 - January 14, 2019

James A. Leonard, Age 99 ½ January 14, 2019 James was born in Detroit on June 18, 1919, to the late Frederic and Catherine (Lazarus). He graduated from Henry Ford Trade School in 1937. He started J.I.C. Electric with William H. Pew in 1949 and worked until his retirement in 2002. He married Helen R. (Sullivan) in 1945 and she preceded him in death in 1977. He married Mary (Scott) DiPonio in 1981 and she passed away in 2012. He is the beloved father of James A. (Barbara) Leonard Jr., Patricia (John) Salter, Carol (Robert) McManus, Thomas (Debra) Leonard, Daniel (Brenda) Leonard, Catherine (Joseph) DeLeon, Elizabeth (William) Leonard-Brown, Loretta (Ashok) Chopra, Barbara (William) Drotar, Kenneth (Anastasia) Leonard, Thomas (Renee) DiPonio, John (Cynthia) DiPonio, Susan (Russell) Worosz, Steven DiPonio, Michael (Brenda) DiPonio, Nancy DiPonio Hagan, James DiPonio, Joseph (Erica) DiPonio and the late Elizabeth DiPonio. Proud Grandfather of 64 and great-grandfather of 36. James is the brother of the late Mary (William) Twomey, Jerry (Enid) Leonard, and Jean Leonard. He is the brother-in-law of Sr. Anne Sullivan M.M., Mary Chevalier, Dr. William (Margie) Sullivan, and the late Loretta (Henry) Nebel. James is the brother-in-law of Mary DiPonio (the late Donald) Mancini, and the late Frederick (Dorothy) Scott, Barbara Scott (Robert) Taylor, Angelo (Marge) DiPonio, Thomas (Connie) DiPonio, Louis (Rose) DiPonio, Dominic (Frances) DiPonio, Eugene (Antoinette) DiPonio, Louise DiPonio (Jack) Bidigare. The family was the center of James’ life whether it was spending time at the lake house, volunteering at St. Monica or St. Valentine, bowling, attending an opera or a Detroit Tiger game, the family was a part of the experience. He enjoyed many conversations about sports, business, and politics. He taught his family what it meant to be a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Visitation at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River, Novi, MI 48375, 248-348-1800, Sunday, January 20 3-8 pm and Monday, January 21 3-8 pm with Rosary at 7 pm. Instate at St Valentine Church, 14841 Beech Daly, Redford, Tuesday, January 22 at 10:00 am until the funeral Liturgy at 10:30 am. Entombment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield immediately following the funeral Mass. Donations in memory of James can be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Development Office, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207. Click here to donate