John A. Leonard, 79

John A. “Jack” Leonard, 79, formerly of 11 Hemlock Drive, Belmont, died on Nov. 23, 2025, at Golden View Health Care Center, in Meredith, after a period of declining health.

Jack was born in Laconia, on May 8, 1946, the son of the late Allan J. and Mary E. (Kidney) Leonard. Raised and schooled in Laconia, Jack was a graduate of Laconia High School class of 1964.

Prior to his retirement Jack was fortunate to pursue many areas of employment, from musician to clothing store manager, to salesman, to police officer, to a locksmith, ultimately retiring from the State of New Hampshire Department of Corrections.

At a young age, Jack was a self-taught musician and able to play by ear. While in high school he began playing bass with many local bands throughout the Lakes Region and at many venues that included the former Teen Haven at Weirs Beach, aboard the M.S. Mount Washington, The Margate in Laconia, and many other clubs. Upon graduation from high school Jack was employed by the former Reliable Clothing in Franklin, as the store manager. He was employed by the Laconia Police Department as a patrolman for several years, serving under Chief Harold Knowlton. With his personality, Jack was a highly successful Electrolux vacuum salesman in the Lakes Region, a job and product he genuinely enjoyed, a job he had fun doing, often recognized as, “that’s the guy who sold me my vacuum.” He truly enjoyed the people he met and being invited into their homes to demonstrate his product. After a motor vehicle accident that prohibited him from demonstrating vacuums, he secured a job with the State of New Hampshire Department of Corrections working his way up to a sergeant, security specialist, servicing prisons in Manchester, Concord and Berlin. Notably, as printed on the front page of The Concord Monitor on April 27, 1996, Jack received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for officers at the Department of Corrections, for his quick action after hearing a woman’s voice screaming for help. He raced to the aid of a 21-year-old college student working for the summer as a guard at the state prison who had been attacked by an inmate, saving her life.

Upon his retirement Jack held many part-time jobs to keep busy, even serving on his condo association board as treasurer, creating several templates that made it easy for the association to see where it was financially at any given time, a position he took very seriously. He also enjoyed playing his organ loud enough for all to hear, often missing a phone call or two. No matter the season, it was important for Jack to keep the grounds around his property maintained and neat, often having his driveway cleared before the plow arrived. As he took pride in the appearance of his home, Jack always decorated outside for his neighbors to enjoy, especially with his Christmas lights.

Besides his parents, Jack is predeceased by his wife of over 30 years, Bonnie G. (Annis) Leonard; his first wife, Sherry (Blanchard) (Leonard) Beauregard; his daughter, Melissa J. (Leonard) Wheaton; and his brother, Frank Leonard.

Jack is survived by his son Christopher Leonard and his wife Janice of Graham, Washington; his daughters Ann Manley of Manchester and Cathy Raymond and her husband Ron of Laconia; his brother, Bruce Leonard of Lakeland, Florida; his grandchildren, Crystal Roy, Brandon Hughes, Castava Donavon, Jordan Feaster, Cody Leonard, Alex Breton, Kyle Leonard, Samantha Raymond and Tabbi Raymond; seven great-grandchildren; and his son-in-law, David Wheaton.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday May 22, at the family lot in Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia.

For those who wish, Jack has suggested memorial donations in his memory be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247, or nhhumane.org.

Visit neunfuneralhomes.com for further information, an online guestbook, or to share a memory of Jack.

Paquette-Neun Funeral Home, 104 Park St., Northfield, is assisting Jack's family.