J. Howard Leonard

EASTON - J. Howard Leonard, 54, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007 at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC.

He was born in Cambridge on Oct. 20, 1952 and was a son of the late Joseph Francis Leonard and M. Catherine Hill Stout.

Mr. Leonard graduated from Cambridge High School in 1970. He graduated from Salisbury State College, then went to graduate school at Gallaudet University and finally did an internship at the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas.

Howard worked tirelessly for the equal rights of deaf people. He wanted everyone to understand that deafness is not a disability, but he did nothing in his business life and personal life without passion.

He served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 13, 1971 until he received his honorable discharge on March 9, 1973.

He is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie Shenton and Jacquelyn Leonard of Trappe; two brothers, David H. Leonard and wife, Kim of East New Market and their children, Justice Levin Leonard and Amanda Rae Leonard and William H. Leonard and wife, Mary of Cambridge and their children, Daniel Joseph Leonard and Gregory Allen Leonard; a sister, Martha Jane Leonard of Cambridge; aunt, Alma Leonard of Denton; his fiancée, Laurie Yaffe of Easton and her children, Jessi Shevitz, Joshua Shevitz and Kaylie Shevitz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, at St. Mary Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church in Cambridge with Celebrant Bruce Byrolly officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the J. Howard Leonard Fund, Maryland School for the Deaf Foundation, 101 Clarke Place, P.O. Box 250, Frederick, MD 21705-0250.