Edward J. Leonard, 60, lawyer

Edward J. Leonard, 60, a Center City lawyer and political activist who lived his entire life in Philadelphia's Fairmount section, died Saturday, Feb. 2, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at his home.

Mr. Leonard, who had a law office at 16th and Locust Streets, specialized in credit union and banking law.

"He had a general practice, but he was also general counsel to the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union," said his brother, former City Controller Thomas Leonard. "He was a great lawyer, a great father, a great husband, and a wonderful brother."

Edward Joseph Leonard was born May 30, 1952, one of 12 children of Thomas A. Leonard and the former Mary Kelly. He attended Bishop Neumann High School (now SS. Neumann-Goretti High School) during his freshman and sophomore years. In his junior year, he was selected to be a page in the House of Representatives. He then attended the Capitol Page School in Washington, graduating in 1970.

Four years later, he graduated from Drexel University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. In his sophomore year, he met his wife, Veronica "Ronnie," at a party when he asked her to dance.

In 1978, Mr. Leonard earned a law degree at Delaware Law School, now the Widener University School of Law.

"He was in politics, off and on, through his whole career, though he never ran for office," Thomas Leonard said. "He was always sort of behind the scenes. He helped run my campaigns."

Thomas Leonard was the city controller from 1979 to 1983, when he ran for mayor.

Mr. Leonard was active in the Fairmount community, where he lived in a home next to the one where he was born.

"There were 12 of us, six boys and six girls," Thomas Leonard said. "It was a rowhouse in Fairmount. There was one bathroom, which was very challenging with six sisters, but it was very warm and loving."

Michael McAllister, a longtime colleague with whom Mr. Leonard shared a legal practice, said Mr. Leonard was an outstanding lawyer who "was an expert on credit union and banking compliance."

"He was the most affable and hardworking person I have ever met," McAllister said.

Mr. Leonard was an avid fan of Philadelphia sports teams, his relatives said.

Mr. Leonard was a longtime member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Fairmount.

In addition to his wife and brother, Mr. Leonard is survived by sons Edward, Anthony, Thomas, and Brian; a daughter, Julie Busta; two grandsons; his mother; and 10 siblings.

A viewing will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Dinan Funeral Home, 1921 Spring Garden St. A second viewing will be at the funeral home Thursday, Feb. 7, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 2321 Green St. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.