James E. Leonard, Jr.

April 2, 1947 - January 17, 2022

James E. Leonard, Jr. age 74. Loving husband of 38 years to Anne nee: Pietrolaj. Beloved son of the late James E., Sr. (The late Harriet nee: Pelecki) Leonard. Fond nephew of the late Earl Leonard, the late Stephanie (the late Joseph) Brzezinski, the late Roman (the late Julie) Pelecki, the late Marie (the late Frank) Ksiazek, the late Peter (the late Charlotte) Pelke and the late Cecelia Pelecki. Dear cousin of the late Florence (the late Edward) Bratko, the late Gertrude (the late Felix) Ganczak, the late Louis (the late Claire) Richter, the late James (Dorothy) Bratko, the late Rev. Kenneth Bratko C.R. and Alice Bratko, Mary (Thomas) Ptak. Brother-in-law of the late John (Lottie) Pietrolaj, the late Sophie Pietrolaj, Irene (Chuck) Lipari and Maryann (Robert) Kwasniewski. James was Baptized into the Roman Catholic Faith, he attended St. Bartholomew Grammar School and St. Patrick's High School in Chicago, IL. He went on to a 32 year career as a CDL truck driver for Pepsi the Company, then after a 15 year career as a Bus Driver for First Student Bus Co. He retired an active member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters #744, the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge #660 and a former officer. He was a long serving usher at St. Emily Catholic Church, Mt. Prospect, IL. Jim was loved by everyone he met. He was friendly, thoughtful, a selfless guy, a true American and an all around Irish guy. He was a diehard Bears fan and followed pro football with a passion his entire life. A generous contributor to numerous charities. Visitation Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Monday, January 24, 2022 Chapel Prayers 9:15 a.m. from Matz Mt. Prospect Funeral Chapel 410 E. Rand Rd. Mt. Prospect, IL. 60056 to St. Emily Catholic Church 1400 E. Rand Rd. Mass 10:00 a.m. Interment All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. In lieu of flowers donations to Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter 2200 Riverwoods Rd. Deerfield, Il. 60015 or orphansofthestorm.org Service information 847-394-2336 or matzmtprospectfuneralchapel.com To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of James E. Leonard, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James E. Leonard, Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. There are no gallery images. #recaptcha-container label { display: none } Upload a Photo Label: * Image: * Gallery: Obituary Photos Required Confirmation: Upload Gallery Image