Mark J. Leonard, 69

Mark J. Leonard, 69, of Schroon Lake, died Aug. 1, at his home with his family by his side. Leonard was born in Albany, the son of the late James J. and Emma Michela Leonard, attended the Cathedral Academy and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1969. He earned an associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Siena College in 1973. He completed a bachelor’s in religious studies from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in 1980, and a bachelor’s and master’s in religious studies in the Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Albany from 1995-2000.

Leonard served as a teacher at The Academy of the Holy Names in Albany from 1974-75, and at St. Peter’s High School in Saratoga Springs from 1975-76. He served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and faith-formation teacher from 1973-2000 and was ordained a deacon on Oct. 7, 2000. He served as a deacon and parish life director and as director of the Diaconate from 2013-19, before being assigned as parish life director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Watervliet.

Leonard worked for the New York State Department of Correctional Services from 1981-2010, as an officer, counselor and director of Ministerial, Volunteer and Family Services. Leonard was responsible for all religious, family and volunteer programs for over 72,000 inmates, 200 chaplains of various faiths, and over 6,000 volunteers.

Leonard married Eileen Williams in 1981 and she predeceased him in 2001. In 2009, he married Kimberlee Fagley, who survives him along with his children: Victoria Fenichel, Ashley Tessier, Claire Miller (Nicholas), Marissa Leonard and Matthew Wyland (Anna); his grandchildren: Logan and Zoe Fenichel; his siblings: Mary S. Leonard and Ann Louer (David); and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his sister, Michele Leonard. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 6 at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Schenectady.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 2416 Seventh Ave, Watervliet, N.Y., 12189; St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Rd, Schenectady, N.Y. 12303; or Pyramid Life Center (where Leonard served as director), Box 103, Paradox, N.Y., 12858.