Anthony Joseph Leonard

LEONARD, Anthony, J., of Sterling Heights, MI, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2022. He was a remarkable 104 years old. “Tony” was born on April 30, 1918 in Posen, MI to Polish immigrants. Tony served in the U.S. Army 117th Mechanized Reconnaissance Squadron from 1942 through 1945 in both the North African and European theaters. He was classified as a T5 Corporal radio operator and qualified as a rifle marksman earning four bronze stars, the bronze service arrowhead medal, the good conduct medal for more than three years of service during WW2, and the European-African Middle Eastern (EAME) medal for combat operations in Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Southern France, and Central Europe campaigns. He concluded his Army service in the Army of Occupation on General Eisenhower’s security detail following V-E day. Tony was a true hero and great American serving the U.S. and its allies with tremendous valor and bravery. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia Teresa Kowalski. “Celia” waited for Tony to return from the war and they were married on April 30, 1946. They share 4 children: Dennis (CeAnne) Leonard, Cheryl (Gary) Arendoski, Kathy (Hugh Maxwell) Leonard, and Karen (Peter) Schihl. Tony is survived by 10 grandchildren: Evan Leonard, Cara (Scott) McLean, Kirk Leonard, Carl Leonard, Glen Leonard, Christopher (Sarah) Arendoski, Andrew (Emma) Arendoski, John (Rachel) Schihl, Paul Schihl, and Claire Schihl. Tony is survived by 15 great-grandchildren: Aleksandra, Lukas, Eva, Grant, Adeline, Thaddeus, Max, Christopher, Meredith, Gregory, Julia, Andrew, Benjamin, Henry, and Ezekiel. In his early years, Tony came to Detroit and worked on the WPA building roads on the west side of Detroit, at automotive factories such as Hudson Motors, and in the meatpacking industry where he was a member of the Teamsters and then where he also grew his own business. Tony is preceded in death by his second wife, Charlotte. They enjoyed traveling with local square dancers to places like Hawaii and with polka dancers and Big Daddy to Bay City, MI. They also enjoyed traveling to see Charlotte’s family (his stepchildren and their families). Tony is also predeceased by 2 sisters and 6 brothers: Anna and Stanley I (both of whom passed away as infants in Poland), Andrew, Joseph, Stanley II, Thomas, and John, 2 grandchildren: Victoria and Simon Peter, and 1 great-grandchild: Natalya. Visitation: Wujek – Calcaterra & Sons Inc – Sterling Hts, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 3:00pm-9:00pm. Rosary: Wujek – Calcaterra & Sons Inc – Sterling Hts, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 7:00pm-7:30pm. In State/Funeral: St. Matthias Catholic Church, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, In State from 10:00am-10:30pm with the funeral mass immediately following. Tony liked flowers. If you prefer to give to charity in lieu of flowers, please consider the American Heart Association, www.heart.org. and or Kosciuszko Foundation, www.thekf.org. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Anthony Joseph Leonard

April 30, 1918 - November 26, 2022