Harold "Bud" E. Leonard Jr.

Harold E. “Bud” Leonard Jr. 87, passed peacefully at home Saturday, September 12 ^, 2020 surrounded by his loving family, as he desired.

Born April 18, 1933 in Lebanon, New Hampshire to Harold E. and Regina (Boivin) Leonard, Bud grew up in the Upper Valley surrounded by a very large, yet close family of Leonards, Boivins, Soules, Tremblays, and many more. Family gatherings, where there was plenty of food and the coffee was always ‘on,’ frequently included 30 or more dining on all the favorites.  This was a tradition that Bud was proud to continue with his own family as Averys, Follensbees, Phelps, Barnetts, Hills, and Korsgrens among others were added.

A graduate of Lebanon High School, Class of 1951, Bud was proud to serve in the US Army Signal Corps during the Korean Conflict.  He spent a year assigned to the Army Pacific Command Main Communications Station on an island in Tokyo Bay where his diligence and technical abilities allowed him to quickly rise to the position of “Trick (shift) Chief” as a Private First Class.

Returning from the Pacific, he set his sights on building a family with ‘that girl from Enfield” - Dorothea Avery, known to all as “Bunny”.  Life in the Upper Valley mid 1950’s brought many challenges with the woolen industry closing and jobs scarce. Bud and Bunny both worked multiple jobs, some with long commutes, to buy a house and to provide for their growing family.  A pivotal change occurred when Bud joined The American Optical Company in Hanover where with 10 years hard work, he rose to Manager of the office and lab, then located in Lebanon.

In 1973, after 17 years with AO, Bud with Bunny and other family members started their own company, Lenco Optical in Rutland, Vermont, where they moved in 1975.  Within a few years, they opened locations in Winooski, VT and Nashua, NH with a staff of over 30 serving Optical clients across Northern New England, Upstate New York and Northern Massachusetts.  As the optical field evolved, they and their family continuously adapted to the changes and challenges of a growing business in a rapidly changing industry.  As happens, after 42 years as the owners/operators of Lenco Optical, a well- earned retirement came as Bud and Bunny sold the business in 2015.

Even before his own retirement, Bud pursued his hobby – Bud’s Bikes.  An avid motorcycle rider from his teen years, Bud was never far from something with wheels and a motor. Beginning in the ‘80’s, he acquired and lovingly restored nearly 40 classic bikes, predominantly Triumphs and Indians.  He became ‘the go-to guy’ for Triumph collectors around the country.  He thoroughly enjoyed his hobby, his bike barn and the many friends that he made in both the bike collector world and the optical industry.

As a son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, cousin, scout leader, veteran, co-worker, or friend, Bud was proud and pleased to do his best in all things and to encourage others to do the same.   He genuinely loved to share stories of his family and friends, and he savored their love like a fine meal.

Bud has now joined his parents, brother, John Leonard, brothers in law, Bill Avery,  Arnold Avery, Arthur Follensbee and Gerry Phelps and his “other brother” Louis Audette (who probably had the motorcycles warming up for a ride).

He leaves behind his devoted wife of 65 years, Dorothea J. “Bunny” Leonard, daughter Sharon A. Leonard, sons, David M. Leonard and his partner, Dee Scott, and Scott A. Leonard and wife, Michelle, all of Rutland; siblings Gloria L. Follensbee, Lebanon, NH, Jeanne M. Phelps, Goldsborough, NC, brother Peter J. Leonard and his wife, Elin, Henniker, NH;  Sisters in law Marilyn Avery, Patricia Avery, Shirley A. Barnett and husband Alan and Theresa A. Hill; 7 Grandchildren:  Joshua Renfrow and his wife, Carol, Christie Bentz, Laurie Morrill and her husband, Chris, Julie Lernihan and her fiancée, Michael Waldroup, Michael Leonard, Nicholas Leonard, and Bradley Leonard.  Also, four great grandchildren:  Kyla Bentz, Braden, Elena, and Delila Morrill. Additionally, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grandnephews, cousins, and many friends.

A graveside service with be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at  1PM, in the Valley Cemetery, Mascoma Street, Lebanon, NH.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Rutland County Humane Society.

Arrangements are by the Clifford Funeral Home.