Obituary of Thomas Kevin Leonard

Thomas Kevin Leonard 64, of Amsterdam, passed away Monday afternoon at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, New York on April 19, 1943, he was the son of Nora T. Goonan Leonard and the late Thomas F. Leonard. Tom grew up in Bethel, Conn. and was a graduate of the Culinary Institute Of America when it was located in New Haven, Conn. He enlisted in the US Navy and was on the first crew to serve on the USS Constellation during the Vietnam War. He was a Commanding Officer at the Naval Reserve Manpower Center in Bainbridge, Maryland and also served with the US Army Reserve. For a number of years, Tom was employed by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons in Danbury, Conn. and Ray Brook, New York. Most recently, he worked for the Montgomery County Data Processing until he took ill in December of 2006. His family meant everything to him and he loved spending time near the water. He was of the Roman Catholic faith and had a passion for mission to the poor and underprivileged. On July 10, 1984, he was united in marriage to The Rev. Cynthia A. Shaw Leonard. In addition to his wife, he leaves his mother, Nora T. Leonard of Madison, Conn., sons; Brian C. Leonard Sandra of Bethel, Conn.; and Matthew Leonard of Amsterdam, New York, brother; John P. Leonard of Madison, Conn., sister; Mary T. Forlastro of Newton, Conn., grandchildren; Katlyn Nicholas and Alexia; aunts, uncles and cousins. Services are Friday at 8:15 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:15 am Friday at St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, New York. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday from 4-7 pm at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home. Interment will be private at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York. Contributions may be made in Tom?s memory to The Wildwood Foundation in care of the funeral home office, Amsterdam, New York 12010.