Joseph Patrick Leonard of Vineyard Haven died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, May 15. He was 80.

Joe was born March 17, 1932 in a house on State Road in Vineyard Haven. He enjoyed having his birthday on Saint Patrick’s Day. Joe grew up on State Road with his parents, Joseph Garcia Leonard and Christina Ponte Leonard, both born in Portugal, who immigrated to the United States.

He attended both elementary and high school in Vineyard Haven and was quite a basketball player. He then continued his education at Springfield College. He graduated from Eastern Military School in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Joe enlisted in the Army in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1953.

He worked for his dad, learning carpentry and then continued his trade, working for DeSorcy Contracting Company until his retirement.

He was married on June 28, 1952 to Wilma J. Leonard, who was the love of his life.

Joe loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed the life of Martha’s Vineyard, spending time quahoging, cooking out on the beach and entertaining off-Island relatives. Joe and Jean were always traveling off-Island with their children to spend time with relatives, either just hanging out at their house or on camping trips. They never allowed living on an island to keep them and their children from traveling to visit family.

As his children grew so did his interests. He loved playing golf with his wife and sons and loved to travel with his wife to California to spend time with his son and family. He enjoyed trips with relatives, visiting with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and his wife enjoyed trips to Amsterdam, New Orleans, Florida and the U.K., but they never got to go on a cruise together. He did get to go on a cruise with his daughter and had a wonderful time. Holidays were always spent with family, and as the years passed the families grew larger.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Wilma Jean Leonard, and his sister Christina Maciel.

He is survived by his son Ronald J. Leonard and his wife Robyn F. Leonard of Pasadena California and their two daughters, Lorienne and Jaclyn; sons Jeffrey E. Leonard of Vineyard Haven and Randy C. Leonard of Harwich and his daughters Nicole, Christina, Mariel and Catherine; daughter Susan J. Leonard, also of Vineyard Haven, and her son Jeffrey; and great-grand children Zoe, Riley, Lacey, Angelina and Elijah.

He will be truly missed by his family, relatives and all of his wonderful friends. He was and still is a wonderful and kind man. The family would like to thank all their friends and relatives, far and near, Vineyard Nurses, Meals on Wheels and Dr. Lamb.

Visiting hours were held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs on Sunday, May 20. His funeral mass was celebrated in St. Augustine’s Church on Monday, May 21 at 11:00 am and interment followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven, with military honors offered by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard.

Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of MV, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 399, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.