Heartfelt tributes to 'great golfer' and former Limerick businessman who died in Spain

TRIBUTES have been paid to retired Limerick businessman Brian ‘Jack’ Leonard, following his death in Spain.

Late of Leonard’s Menswear and a member of Limerick and Lahinch golf clubs, Mr Leonard was from Meadowvale Close, in Raheen.

He passed away peacefully after a short illness in Dequesa, Spain on October 24. He was surrounded by his adored wife Suzanne, his daughter Jacqueline, his brother Richard, and sister-in-law Unette.

Mr Leonard, known to friends and family as Jack, worked at one of Limerick’s most iconic shops, Leonard’s Menswear, which was located in the heart of the city. 

He had decided to close down the shop after 85 years of trading, and not follow in the footsteps of his father who worked until his untimely death at 75. 

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In 2020 during an interview with former Limerick Leader editor, Eugene Phelan, Mr Leonard said: “My father (John) worked for 53 years and never saw retirement. I have done 45 and want to do other things with the time I have left. Unfortunately, there was no one in the family interested in the business. I am not going to repeat what my father did. I have plans and I hope to do some voluntary work. I enjoy gardening and golf and will keep occupied.”

Following his untimely passing, tributes poured in.

Elenora Hogan, vice chair of Limerick Civic Trust, had known Jack all of her life. "I was quite shocked when I heard of the death of Brian I have to say. I have known him all my life. Leonard lived in Ballinacurra and I lived on the South Circular Road, we knew each other well growing up. He was a lovely gentleman. It was always a pleasure to go into Leonard's Menswear, he was very welcoming and very helpful."

Elenora described him as a compassionate man and an astute businessman. She added: "Jack was a great golfer as well actually, he really enjoyed his golf."

In a tribute, Lahinch Golf Club wrote: "A lifelong member of Limerick Golf Club, Brian joined Lahinch Golf Club in 1978 and enjoyed many years of social and competitive golf in the company of his wide circle of friends. An efficient organiser and excellent entertainer, Brian often took charge of both of those duties when it came to home and away golfing trips with friends. Brian is a previous winner of the Shannon Junior Scratch Cup, despite playing with several broken toes - against the advice of his doctor at the time."

"Brian was a keen golfer, gardener and family cook. He could often be found behind the barbecue on a Sunday evening preparing the 'Sunday joint'," they added.

“Our Deepest Sympathy to Suzanne, Jacqueline, Paraic and the extended Leonard family on the sad and untimely passing of Jack. Nice memories of him in Dequesa and pity he did not get much time to enjoy retirement there. May he rest in peace,” another tribute read.

Sadly missed by Suzanne and Jackie, his cherished granddaughter Saoirse, son-in-law Paraic, brother Richard, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, his close nieces and nephews, relatives and many many friends.

Pre-deceased by his brothers Johnny and Denis.

Reposing at Griffin’s Funeral Home, John’s Gate, on Monday, October 30, from 4pm to 6pm. Funeral arriving at St Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue, on Tuesday, October 31, for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in Castlemungret Cemetery, Mungret.

May he rest in peace.