John Joseph "Jack" Leonard
Birth: 31 Jan 1904, California
Death: 25 Oct 1976, Long Beach, California
Spouse: Evelyn Helen Thomas
Birth: 22 Nov 1907, California
Death: 30 Mar 1978, Los Angeles, California
Marriage: 5 Sep 1936, Reno, Nevada
Children: Lynda Evelyn (1940-)
John Joseph Leonard, Jr., was born on January 31, 1904, in San Francisco. He grew up in St. Joseph’s Parish until he was 8 years old and then the family moved to 1158 Dolores Street. He probably went to St James’ High School with his cousin Vince Silk and graduated in 1922. He was a tall, brawny, blue-eyed young man with black hair and a shy smile. He was also an excellent Irish dancer.
John was very talented and had many options. He considered architecture, engineering, and medicine. He decided he was not compassionate enough to become a doctor and chose engineering instead. He attended Santa Clara University on a football scholarship where he was known as Joe. He graduated in 1928. He was in the Engineering Society for four years, served as the student body Sargent-at-arms in his sophomore year, was a performer in the play The Weaver (about Saul of Tarsus) sophomore year, and was in the Passion Play his senior year. The Engineering Society was very active, both academically and socially. There were banquets, a handball tournament, and an annual ball that was considered to be the outstanding social event of the year. Academically, they took field trips to examine concrete and steel bridges and highways, and they toured the Steel Manufacturing Plant in South San Francisco and the Asphalt Concrete Plant in San Jose. In his second year, the speaker at one of the banquets was John B. Leonard, another prominent San Francisco contractor and engineer. John took to heart the older John’s words when he stated that “for the young engineer who was willing to look ahead and work, there is a world of opportunity. But for the one who is willing to lumber along in a rut, there is no place in the profession.” John did not lumber.
Death: 25 Oct 1976, Long Beach, California
Spouse: Evelyn Helen Thomas
Birth: 22 Nov 1907, California
Death: 30 Mar 1978, Los Angeles, California
Marriage: 5 Sep 1936, Reno, Nevada
Children: Lynda Evelyn (1940-)
John Joseph Leonard, Jr., was born on January 31, 1904, in San Francisco. He grew up in St. Joseph’s Parish until he was 8 years old and then the family moved to 1158 Dolores Street. He probably went to St James’ High School with his cousin Vince Silk and graduated in 1922. He was a tall, brawny, blue-eyed young man with black hair and a shy smile. He was also an excellent Irish dancer.
John was very talented and had many options. He considered architecture, engineering, and medicine. He decided he was not compassionate enough to become a doctor and chose engineering instead. He attended Santa Clara University on a football scholarship where he was known as Joe. He graduated in 1928. He was in the Engineering Society for four years, served as the student body Sargent-at-arms in his sophomore year, was a performer in the play The Weaver (about Saul of Tarsus) sophomore year, and was in the Passion Play his senior year. The Engineering Society was very active, both academically and socially. There were banquets, a handball tournament, and an annual ball that was considered to be the outstanding social event of the year. Academically, they took field trips to examine concrete and steel bridges and highways, and they toured the Steel Manufacturing Plant in South San Francisco and the Asphalt Concrete Plant in San Jose. In his second year, the speaker at one of the banquets was John B. Leonard, another prominent San Francisco contractor and engineer. John took to heart the older John’s words when he stated that “for the young engineer who was willing to look ahead and work, there is a world of opportunity. But for the one who is willing to lumber along in a rut, there is no place in the profession.” John did not lumber.
John played tackle on the football team all four years. John’s senior season was a championship year, though they lost to St. Mary’s in the Little Big Game, going 4-1-1. They went to the post-season for the first time in years. John and his teammates boarded the SS President Jackson and sailed to Hawaii for two more games. They beat the Hawaii Athletic Club and face the undefeated University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the championship. Santa Clara won 18-12 in the closing minutes.
John returned from college to move back in with his parents and brother. He would live at the Dolores Street house until 1935. In 1931, he had to take a job in a sardine factory, but he was back home by 1933 when found work as a freelance civil engineer in building construction. In 1935, John took a job with the Shell Chemical Company and would work for them for the next thirty years. They relocated him to Pittsburg, California. Somewhere along the way, he met Evelyn Thomas.
Evelyn Helen Leonard was born on November 22, 1907, to Joseph George Thomas of Petaluma and Mary Neilan (or Neylin) of San Francisco. Joseph was a chauffer and driver for the Falical Company and Mary was a millinery saleswoman at the Emporium. Evelyn’s family moved around fairly often but she mostly grew up on Cathedral Hill. She may have been in the Campfire Girls. There was an Evelyn Thomas in The Chronicle in 1926 who was part of an advertising campaign at certain downtown department stores wherein fifteen Camp Fire Girls developed ads and demonstrations of new, timesaving kitchen appliances. According to the 1940 US Census, Evelyn had four years of high school education, but her daughter said that Evelyn’s mother pulled her out of school before graduation and put her in a secretarial school. Evelyn worked as a stenographer for HC Fisher Tea Importers (1927) and for the William Cavalier Investment Securities (1928 to 1936).
According to her daughter, Evelyn was a pretty young woman but she had problems. She felt that she could not measure up to her mother’s expectations and that she was not important. Like John’s brother George, Evelyn had a very successful older brother, Joseph J Thomas, who had graduated from UC Berkeley and became a successful pharmacist. She always felt that Joseph was the favorite, though she acknowledged that Joe treated her well and did not act like he felt superior. A knight in shining armor like John was what she had always hoped for. It helped that Evelyn’s mother “loved that big Irishman.”
Evelyn and John married on September 5, 1936, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Reno, Nevada. According to the article in the Chronicle, they honeymooned in Lake Tahoe. When they returned, they settled in Walnut Creek. At Shell Chemical, John worked as a draftsman. Evelyn became pregnant and, in 1940, their one and only child, Linda, was born. John had wanted more children, but, between the War and Evelyn’s difficulties, they decided not to do so.
John did not serve in the armed forces during the War. His work at Shell Chemical was more important to the war effort than one soldier’s contribution could be. The ‘40s were a little more normal than for other families. Dad went to work every day and came home for dinner. Summers were spent at the Russian River or in Sonoma at various family members’ cabins. Evelyn’s sister-in-law’s family had a cabin and Lynda remembered playing with cousins there.
John returned from college to move back in with his parents and brother. He would live at the Dolores Street house until 1935. In 1931, he had to take a job in a sardine factory, but he was back home by 1933 when found work as a freelance civil engineer in building construction. In 1935, John took a job with the Shell Chemical Company and would work for them for the next thirty years. They relocated him to Pittsburg, California. Somewhere along the way, he met Evelyn Thomas.
Evelyn Helen Leonard was born on November 22, 1907, to Joseph George Thomas of Petaluma and Mary Neilan (or Neylin) of San Francisco. Joseph was a chauffer and driver for the Falical Company and Mary was a millinery saleswoman at the Emporium. Evelyn’s family moved around fairly often but she mostly grew up on Cathedral Hill. She may have been in the Campfire Girls. There was an Evelyn Thomas in The Chronicle in 1926 who was part of an advertising campaign at certain downtown department stores wherein fifteen Camp Fire Girls developed ads and demonstrations of new, timesaving kitchen appliances. According to the 1940 US Census, Evelyn had four years of high school education, but her daughter said that Evelyn’s mother pulled her out of school before graduation and put her in a secretarial school. Evelyn worked as a stenographer for HC Fisher Tea Importers (1927) and for the William Cavalier Investment Securities (1928 to 1936).
According to her daughter, Evelyn was a pretty young woman but she had problems. She felt that she could not measure up to her mother’s expectations and that she was not important. Like John’s brother George, Evelyn had a very successful older brother, Joseph J Thomas, who had graduated from UC Berkeley and became a successful pharmacist. She always felt that Joseph was the favorite, though she acknowledged that Joe treated her well and did not act like he felt superior. A knight in shining armor like John was what she had always hoped for. It helped that Evelyn’s mother “loved that big Irishman.”
Evelyn and John married on September 5, 1936, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Reno, Nevada. According to the article in the Chronicle, they honeymooned in Lake Tahoe. When they returned, they settled in Walnut Creek. At Shell Chemical, John worked as a draftsman. Evelyn became pregnant and, in 1940, their one and only child, Linda, was born. John had wanted more children, but, between the War and Evelyn’s difficulties, they decided not to do so.
John did not serve in the armed forces during the War. His work at Shell Chemical was more important to the war effort than one soldier’s contribution could be. The ‘40s were a little more normal than for other families. Dad went to work every day and came home for dinner. Summers were spent at the Russian River or in Sonoma at various family members’ cabins. Evelyn’s sister-in-law’s family had a cabin and Lynda remembered playing with cousins there.
In 1947, Shell Chemical relocated John to Southern California. He was probably assigned to work at Shell’s synthetic rubber plant in Torrance. They lived in Torrance initially. Later they moved to Long Beach. Evelyn’s brother Joe had lived there since before the War. The family would return every Christmas to visit Jack’s mother. They would also have at least one dinner with Hazel Coogan and Bill Bradford. John had been very close to his cousin Hazel and she was Linda’s godmother, so that part of the visit was always important and enjoyable.
In late 1952, Jack’s beloved mother Kate passed away. Linda remembered coming up to San Francisco for the funeral. A rift developed between Jack and George afterward because the inherited the house together, but, since George continued to live there, it became a “dead asset” for Jack. This meant he earned no income from it and could not sell his portion. Linda remembered George visiting them in Long Beach later and apologizing for the problems. This was likely in 1960, when he finally did sell the house and moved to Santa Rosa.
John was a devout Catholic like his parents. He took the family to mass every Sunday. St. Bartholomew’s was the closest church to home, but the family often went to St. Matthew’s because they had an early mass. John said the Rosary in the evenings with National Catholic Radio. He kept meatless Fridays and gave up various things during Lent. One year, he even quit smoking for Lent. Lynda remembered that her mother prayed but did not pay much attention in church. She was usually digging through her purse. What Evelyn usually prayed for was the “money that George owed them.” Jack was not as worried about the money because he knew they were well set-up, but Evelyn always worried about financial security.
John was a loving husband and father. He valued education and made sure his daughter had an excellent, Catholic one. He sent her to St. Bartholomew’s Grammar School in Long Beach and Marywood High School, an exclusive all-girl’s college prep in Anaheim. Lynda was less close with her mother than her father and she said he basically raised her. They went everywhere together. Lynda remembered them going to Sears in downtown Long Beach to look at Craftsman tools. He taught her to drive. He believed she should be independent and made sure she could drive a stick shift and could repair things around the house, so she would not have to rely on anyone else. He was supported her in all her interests. When Linda started art classes at Long Beach State, he went to the art store with the supplies list, asked to see the owner, and peppered him with questions to make sure his daughter had the best tools at hand.
John was a master carpenter. When he was seven, the first thing he bought with his own money was a hammer. He built the house at 29 Bay Shore Avenue in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, where they would live the rest of their lives. It was an idyllic neighborhood to raise a family. It was just two blocks from the beach and the Marina. During the summer, the street would be blocked off to traffic and people would walk to the marina to swim, to get snack’s at Woody’s Goodies, and to lie out in the street to tan and dry off. There were two theatres nearby and Lynda remembered that the more fancy one cost 25¢ but a short bike ride away was a theatre that only cost 9¢.
In the house he built, John included an office for Evelyn to continue her typing and other secretarial skills, though she did not work, and a garage full of Craftsman tools for himself. His daughter—and, later, his granddaughters—learned how to use the tools properly and safely. They grew up knowing what tools they could touch and which they should not. He used his skills to make frames for his daughter’s paintings and to make blocks for his granddaughters to play with. Later, he built a four-plex on Claremont Avenue that served as a home to his mother- and father-in-law and to bring income to the family.
Jack’s granddaughter loved him and would always run straight to him when they visited. He would give them piggy-back rides and get down on all fours to let them ride him like a horse. Like his cousin Catherine’s husband Lester Callaghan, Jack always played with the grandchildren at their level and slowly raised them up to his level over time.
In late 1952, Jack’s beloved mother Kate passed away. Linda remembered coming up to San Francisco for the funeral. A rift developed between Jack and George afterward because the inherited the house together, but, since George continued to live there, it became a “dead asset” for Jack. This meant he earned no income from it and could not sell his portion. Linda remembered George visiting them in Long Beach later and apologizing for the problems. This was likely in 1960, when he finally did sell the house and moved to Santa Rosa.
John was a devout Catholic like his parents. He took the family to mass every Sunday. St. Bartholomew’s was the closest church to home, but the family often went to St. Matthew’s because they had an early mass. John said the Rosary in the evenings with National Catholic Radio. He kept meatless Fridays and gave up various things during Lent. One year, he even quit smoking for Lent. Lynda remembered that her mother prayed but did not pay much attention in church. She was usually digging through her purse. What Evelyn usually prayed for was the “money that George owed them.” Jack was not as worried about the money because he knew they were well set-up, but Evelyn always worried about financial security.
John was a loving husband and father. He valued education and made sure his daughter had an excellent, Catholic one. He sent her to St. Bartholomew’s Grammar School in Long Beach and Marywood High School, an exclusive all-girl’s college prep in Anaheim. Lynda was less close with her mother than her father and she said he basically raised her. They went everywhere together. Lynda remembered them going to Sears in downtown Long Beach to look at Craftsman tools. He taught her to drive. He believed she should be independent and made sure she could drive a stick shift and could repair things around the house, so she would not have to rely on anyone else. He was supported her in all her interests. When Linda started art classes at Long Beach State, he went to the art store with the supplies list, asked to see the owner, and peppered him with questions to make sure his daughter had the best tools at hand.
John was a master carpenter. When he was seven, the first thing he bought with his own money was a hammer. He built the house at 29 Bay Shore Avenue in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, where they would live the rest of their lives. It was an idyllic neighborhood to raise a family. It was just two blocks from the beach and the Marina. During the summer, the street would be blocked off to traffic and people would walk to the marina to swim, to get snack’s at Woody’s Goodies, and to lie out in the street to tan and dry off. There were two theatres nearby and Lynda remembered that the more fancy one cost 25¢ but a short bike ride away was a theatre that only cost 9¢.
In the house he built, John included an office for Evelyn to continue her typing and other secretarial skills, though she did not work, and a garage full of Craftsman tools for himself. His daughter—and, later, his granddaughters—learned how to use the tools properly and safely. They grew up knowing what tools they could touch and which they should not. He used his skills to make frames for his daughter’s paintings and to make blocks for his granddaughters to play with. Later, he built a four-plex on Claremont Avenue that served as a home to his mother- and father-in-law and to bring income to the family.
Jack’s granddaughter loved him and would always run straight to him when they visited. He would give them piggy-back rides and get down on all fours to let them ride him like a horse. Like his cousin Catherine’s husband Lester Callaghan, Jack always played with the grandchildren at their level and slowly raised them up to his level over time.
Another of his hobbies was boating. John was a member of the Long Beach Power Squadron and built two of his boats himself. The United States Power Squadrons is the world’s largest recreational boating organization in America, with more than 35,000 members. USPS is a non-profit, boating educational and social organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable. The Long Beach Squadron was formed in 1940. Jack took all the classes and got certified in all areas of boating. He built their first sailboat, a small dingy. Later, he built a larger motorboat. Then he later bought an even bigger boat that he christened the Jaclinev after the three of them. He kept it in a slip at the Long Beach Marina and took out for trips to Catalina Island for albacore fishing.
While John was a very active man, Evelyn was a less active individual. She loved movies and would read Luella Parson’s Hollywood Column in the paper every day. She knew all the movie stars, big and small, and, like Jack’s cousin Dolores Quattrin, knew all their movies, who they were dating, and who they married. On TV, Raymond Burr was her favorite and she never missed Perry Mason. She enjoyed dining out and especially loved Clifton’s Restaurant, which was a buffet with a waterfall. She had a fine fashion sense, especially when she was younger, and she liked to go window shopping.
As a child of the Depression, Evelyn was always concerned about spending their money. She would say to her daughter, “I wish we had a washer and dryer,” but she never bought one. Odd, considering her demonstrating and advertising timesaving electric appliances when she was younger. She handled the budgeting for the household. No one was allowed to disturb her when she had “the envelops” out. When she would meet with a doctor or a lawyer for the first time, she would say, “What is this going to cost if I pay you right now?”
John was always a powerful man. He stayed fit and was known to swim across Long Beach harbor and back. As he aged, though, he had gained a lot of weight and was over 300 pounds at one point. But he had had enough of doctors and decided to rely on himself to get his weight back under control. He bought medical manuals and educated himself about health. It was soon managed.
In 1964, he retired at the age of 60 because of his medical issues. He spent time on his boat, worked in his garage, and played with his granddaughters. Basically, he enjoyed his life. In retirement, he still did not lumber. He decided to learn the locksmith trade and became adept at repairing and picking locks.
While John was a very active man, Evelyn was a less active individual. She loved movies and would read Luella Parson’s Hollywood Column in the paper every day. She knew all the movie stars, big and small, and, like Jack’s cousin Dolores Quattrin, knew all their movies, who they were dating, and who they married. On TV, Raymond Burr was her favorite and she never missed Perry Mason. She enjoyed dining out and especially loved Clifton’s Restaurant, which was a buffet with a waterfall. She had a fine fashion sense, especially when she was younger, and she liked to go window shopping.
As a child of the Depression, Evelyn was always concerned about spending their money. She would say to her daughter, “I wish we had a washer and dryer,” but she never bought one. Odd, considering her demonstrating and advertising timesaving electric appliances when she was younger. She handled the budgeting for the household. No one was allowed to disturb her when she had “the envelops” out. When she would meet with a doctor or a lawyer for the first time, she would say, “What is this going to cost if I pay you right now?”
John was always a powerful man. He stayed fit and was known to swim across Long Beach harbor and back. As he aged, though, he had gained a lot of weight and was over 300 pounds at one point. But he had had enough of doctors and decided to rely on himself to get his weight back under control. He bought medical manuals and educated himself about health. It was soon managed.
In 1964, he retired at the age of 60 because of his medical issues. He spent time on his boat, worked in his garage, and played with his granddaughters. Basically, he enjoyed his life. In retirement, he still did not lumber. He decided to learn the locksmith trade and became adept at repairing and picking locks.
In October of 1976, John was admitted to Long Beach Community Hospital. He was only there for three days before he died of congestive heart failure and renal nephrosis on October 25, 1976. He was 72 years old. He was buried in All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach two days later.
Evelyn survived her husband by less than two years. Her sister-in-law would check in with her regularly, but she was lonely wandering around the big empty house. In March of 1978, Evelyn was admitted to Long Beach Community Hospital with a cardiopulmonary embolism. She died on March 30, 1978. She is buried with her husband in Los Alamitos.
John was an incredibly talented individual in many ways, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most importantly, he was a kind human being. He loved all the people on his life and the love was returned. He was a hero to many people in many different ways and is greatly missed.
Evelyn survived her husband by less than two years. Her sister-in-law would check in with her regularly, but she was lonely wandering around the big empty house. In March of 1978, Evelyn was admitted to Long Beach Community Hospital with a cardiopulmonary embolism. She died on March 30, 1978. She is buried with her husband in Los Alamitos.
John was an incredibly talented individual in many ways, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most importantly, he was a kind human being. He loved all the people on his life and the love was returned. He was a hero to many people in many different ways and is greatly missed.