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L. Michael "Mike" Leonard
1948 - 2018
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The family of L. Michael Leonard uploaded a photo
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
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Allyson Butterbaugh-Nadler lit a candle
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
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He was one of my favorite teacher in high school. My heart is broken.
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Heidi Ricks posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
My Leonard was also my favorite BKW teacher. I was also the only girl in shop class in 1977 or ‘78. I LOVED that class. I also had him for art and a study hall where I always felt cared for and respected, which was not necessarily the norm for the time. I remember best the time he thought I was lying to him because I told him I shouldn’t get in trouble for some April Fool’s prank I pulled on him because it was my birthday. When I saw him the next day he was furious! My brother was in his wife’s class and when they compared notes the night before she had told him it was actually my brother’s birthday, not mine It took a phone call to my parents to confirm that neither of us was lying as we really do share that birthday. He was a very sweet man who will be missed by many.
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Gerry Lenseth posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Very sad to hear of Mike's sudden passing. He was a neighbor and a friend. A true American craftsman that shared his trade and skill with so many. I am greatful that he enjoyed many years during hunting season quietly sitting on my property waiting for the right opportunity. Missing him already...
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Debbie Stevens Mclaughlin posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Mr. Leonard was one of my very favorite teachers! I was the only girl in his shop class in 1983 and he "protected " me from all those "macho boys". He always helped me with MY masterpieces and made sure they were the best in the class, while he left the boys to nick their fingers and projects. He was tough on the boys but he was a sweetheart to me! I loved shop class and I loved Mr. Leonard! He and Mrs. Leonard attended my wedding reception in 1989. My thoughts and prayers are with you Mrs. Leonard and your family.❤
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Judy Humeniuk posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Paula & Family,
So sorry for your loss. Mike was such a kind man. I knew him from working with him at the Empire State Games. He will be missed.
Judy Humeniuk
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cheryl sherwin posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Paula I'm so sorry to hear about Mike , you two were always on the top of my favorites list at B-K-W ! Keep the good times in your heart and he'll always be there with you . All my love to the whole family .
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Digger Busch posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
He was tough but nice, and he had a tremendous impact on my life. Thank you, Mr. Leonard!
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Dawn Francis posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
My favorite memory of Mr Leonard was doing a perimeter sweep of the hallways of BKW after the bell rang. Never failed to round up a few strays. The kids loved him and he was a pleasure to work with. He will be missed.
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Rona Lee Heaton posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
So sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Leonard. I have many memories of him like kicking us out of the faculty bathroom, having his class cut out the rails of my mom’s gazebo, making sure we knew the bell had rung and finally finishing my parent’s home. But the greatest memory is that of him (and me) needing smelling salts in the nurse’s office after I cut my thumb on the band saw in his shop class. He pushed me to step out of my comfort zone in that class and definitely left a mark. My thoughts are with his family and all of those who held him close.
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JANET POWELL posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
LAUREN - SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR DAD'S PASSING. HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IF THERE'S ANYTHING I CAN DO, GIVE A SHOULDER TO CRY ON, ETC., PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M THINKING OF YOU TODAY.
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Amanda Hellwig posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Mr. Leonard was one of my favorite teachers. He will be dearly missed. My condolences to his family and friends. Our prayers are with you.
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Melissa (Missy) Foster lit a candle
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
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May this light symbolize his love for his family friends and the amazing beacon of love and light he was.
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Melissa (Missy) Foster posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
It is a sad day when such an amazing man leaves us. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. I remember Mr. Leonard and my Mom ( Lynne Foster) becoming the best of friends. This lead to my father Rodney to share in on their fun and enjoy some projects of their own. Many cups of coffee, laughs,memories resonate in my mind. He was not just a teacher but and adult that cared about the lives of the young adults and a role model for those that needed it the most. I hope that he is at peace and spending time having coffee with my parents and other friends that have past. I apologize for not being able to come to his service. I shall say a prayer and send him a special message. Love, serenity and support goes to those left behind.
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Rebecca (Scanlon) LaRock posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
He was a wonderful teacher and he is part of the reason that I studied engineering in college.
My husband had him as a teacher as well and he said that he was tough but fair and left a lasting impression of greatness.
He will be greatly missed.
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Heather Lee posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Many fond memories of Mr. Leonard from school and him helping remodel my parents home. He gave me a great book when I graduated that I still have to this day.
Sending peace and warm wishes to his family.
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Phyllis Perkins Ezero posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Dear Paula, Lauren, Alison and family,
How shocked I was to learn of Mike's passing. There are no words to adequately express my feelings right now. He was an awesome guy and his smile and sense of humor will forever be ingrained in my mind.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and hugs are being sent across the miles.
Love,
Phyllis
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Brian Barker posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Dear Alison,
I am very sorry to hear the news of your Dad's sudden passing. My heartfelt prayers and condolences are with you and your family.
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Angela Estes and Emmett Hoops posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
So sorry :( Thinking of all of you.
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Cindy Chrostowski posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
It breaks my heart to hear this sad news. Mike was loved dearly and will always hold a special place in my heart. Thinking of you Paula and your family.
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Carrie La Fontaine posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Leonard family. I had been emailing with Mike about our upcoming 40th reunion and he was going to join us for one of the festivities. He was a wonderful gentleman and teacher. Sad Day.
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Wendy Schwenk posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. Mr. Leonard was one of a kind! He helped me my senior year to receive an internship with Hannay Reels, and 23 years later I am very fortunate to still be working for such a great company He was a very dedicated man/teacher and will be missed by many!
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Billie Schinnerer posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
I am sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. My thoughts are with all the family during this difficult time.
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Gerry & Jerry Havasy posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
We were so sad to hear of the passing of Mike, who we knew from the Rakowana Archery Club. Mike was so nice, welcoming and helpful and generous with his time. He will be missed by the club and his many friends. We feel blessed to have known him albeit for a short time. God Bless his family. Our prayers and sympathy are with you at this difficult time.
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Richard Tesoriero Class of 1989 posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
I'm so sad to hear this. Mr. Leonard was known to us as a disciplinarian, but I think that was because he did not forget what it was like to be a kid, and that is what most endeared him to us. Having taken each of his drafting classes, I can say that he was also a warm and generous teacher. In 1987 (!) he introduced us to computer aided design which became a factor in my decision to study engineering. I also remember his attention to seemingly small details about drawing an object line - how to rotate the pencil, the proper lead weight, and the contrast to construction lines. Mr. Leonard taught with enthusiasm and left behind a generation of students with a little more appreciation of craftsmanship and the benefits to one's character of pursuing it. He is missed.
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Cookie Birmann posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
All of us at Rainbow Golf Club are so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paula and her family.
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Casey Blyth posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2018
Mr.Leonard was always the perfect combination of kind, attentive and tough that we as high schoolers needed even if we didn’t know it at the time. He stands out in my mind as one of my most memorable teachers. I now work at the school with a few other BKW alumni and we love to tell our Mr.Leonard stories to our student summer help when comparing our years and teachers at BKW to theirs . He is a fond memory of my years at BKW and will be greatly missed
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Tara Wesley (Trossbach) lit a candle
Monday, August 20, 2018
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Sending heartfelt wishes to his family, Mr. Leonard was absolutely one of a kind. He was well respected.
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Athena newcomb posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
The best teacher i ever had im heartbroken
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Robert Altieri posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Mr. Leonard had a huge impact on my life. He was one of the main reasons I went into civil engineering and construction and am where I am today. He was also the reason I got into competitive archery. He was my coach in the Empire State games, and was a tremendous mentor in many aspects of my life. He always straightened me out when I was acting up and always looked out for me. I owe so much to him. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family.
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Thomas Costello posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Mike was a great friend and a terrific archer who always had a positive word of support for those learning the art. He was instrumental in many of us older students entering and competing in the NYS Empire State Senior Games. The world of archery has lost a great sportsman.
To Paula, Lauren and Allison, my deepest condolences.
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Amanda Allen posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
He was a wonderful man and fantastic teacher. My memories of him in middle/high school will always be of a big smile and a lot of laughs. Some of the items made in his class have even been passed down to kids/nieces/nephews! I was saddened to hear of his passing and send my deepest condolences to your family. Please know that Mr. Leonard (Mike!) will always be though of fondly.
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Andrew Sigond posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Mr. Leonard was a wonderful human being. As a teacher he was so naturally gifted in the way he could connect, guide and mentor students. A true gem of a person--he will be missed!
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John and Lyn Dittmar posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
So sorry for your loss. John and I both had the pleasure of working with Mike at school. He was the best of men. He will be missed.
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Jim Blair posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. I had only known uncle Mike for a short time but he truly was an amazing person. I looked forward to seeing him at Beth and Wayne's house each hunting season. I always looked forward to Tammy and my trips to Albany hoping that we could connect with you all. I will never forget the long thoughtful conversations we had when the opportunities arose. To know I will never have the opportunity to hear him tell another one of his stories or even laugh out loud like he did just brings be profound sadness. The world is truly a darker place without him in it. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
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