In Honor of Joe Leonard

Joseph Patrick Leonard, of Clarksville, Maryland, passed away in his home On September 25th, 2024, at the age of 64, after a short battle with cancer.

Joe was born in Syracuse, New York, to Joseph Thomas Leonard and Patricia (Pat) Leonard, and raised in Baldwinsville, New York. Upon his graduation from C.W. Baker High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army in the military intelligence and electronic warfare field, which led him to spend time in Korea, Germany, Massachusetts, and the Middle East. After his 13 years of military service, Joe found his niche in the cybersecurity field where he excelled in vision and leadership.

It’s hard to put into words all the things Joe was and how he touched so many lives. He was so many things to so many people. He was a true friend to many and would spend hours on the phone, talking about guns, football, politics, family or just nothing in particular. He was a colleague and mentor to people in the cyber security field, always wanting to listen to a problem, always asking about family, ready to share his wealth of knowledge and help in any way he could. He loved people and building relationships and always treated everyone he met like they were the most important people in the world. He was an older brother who loved to talk about football and people they knew from their younger days. He was a son who was devoted to his mother and called almost daily and a grandfather of 10 wonderful grandkids. Most of all he was a loving and proud father who attended every volleyball game and dance tournament. He loved taking his girls out for a burger, coffee, whatever just to spend a few moments with them. And he was my husband, my hero, always there to listen to my day, fix something that always seemed to break, sit with me outside and enjoy a beautiful day and just do the simple things with me that made up all our years together. He was goofy, boisterous, loving, devoted, kind and so smart. His personality was so big and his smile lit up his face. He was very much loved and his family will miss him every day.

Joe was predeceased by his father, Joseph Leonard. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Brandy Leonard and their two daughters, Taylor Leonard and Haven Leonard; his son Joe (Jennifer) Leonard; his daughters Melissa (Kyle) Zavaski, Sarah Leonard, his grandchildren, Alina, Isaiah, Carolyn, Mahayla, Aaron, Owen, Lily, Jasmine, Keller, and Miranda; his mother, Pat Leonard; and his brother, Mark Leonard, and many loving relatives.