submitted by Kevin O’Malley
The Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Committee is proud to announce that Phil Leonard of Hoosick Falls has been named “Irishman for a Day” for the 2014 parade on March 15.
Leonard has been nominated many times throughout the years for grand marshal, but he is not of Irish Descent. So, in the second time in the parade’s history, Leonard with be an “Irishman for a Day.”
It’s an honor to have Mr. Leonard as “Irishman for a Day” as he has had a lasting impact on our school and community.
[private]Phil Leonard was born in Monticello, NY, attended local schools and graduated with a B.A. Degree at Monticello College. He went to NYS College for Teachers and got his M.A. Degree. He is married to Jinnie, and they have two children, a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Frederic. Leonard has lived in Hoosick Falls since 1957, a total of 53 years.
Leonard was first hired at Hoosick Falls as Principal/Guidance Teacher. He was School Superintendent from 1965 to 1981, when he retired. He has been Town Historian since 2002. He is famous for the poster-boards he makes of the Town. He brought three boards for us to see. He said he goes to all the Town meetings and that gave him the idea for them.
Leonard is Treasurer of the Hoosick Township Historical Society. He was Chairman of the Weir-Reynolds Swimming Pool and raised money for it. He wrote grants for the skating rink and building. He was on the Board of the Putnam Memorial Hospital for 28 years. He was Chairman of the Board of the Weston/Hadden Home in Bennington and Trustee of Saint Joseph’s Business College until it became Southern Vermont College. His latest projects were working on the Board of the Veterans Memorial in Hoosick Falls and restoring the Town’s historical markers.
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