Leonard Stanley Heard was born in 1930 in Stepney, Tower Hamlets, he was the youngest of six children, three boys & three girls.
He left school at the age of 14 and started working in a local garage. In 1946 he met his wife to be and got engaged one week before his two years national service, where he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
When de-mobbed in 1950, he married Audrey and lived with her parents until they were offered a council house in Brentwood, Essex, in 1956. They had three children, a son in 1952, a daughter in 1954 and another daughter in 1962.
He then changed jobs and started working for Ford Motor Company at Dagenham as a Mechanical Engineer, staying there for 30 years. His learned skills meant he would help anyone who asked, from mending cars to building porches, to installing heating or mending broken items, in all, he was a great ‘Mr Fix it’.
His favourite hobby was Ballroom Dancing with his wife, they won many trophies for their dancing. They also had many holidays abroad, their favourite place being America, where they made many happy memories.
Unfortunately, when Leonard was 75, he had a stroke, which left him with many disabilities. Audrey then looked after him endlessly until his passing in July 2022 at the age of 92.
The characteristics that sum up Leonard are that he was humble, generous, kind, very hard working and a consummate family man. He liked people and they liked him, always glad to help with no intention of seeking a reward, and nothing was ever too much to ask of him.
A truly wonderful man who is very sadly missed.
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3 responses
He was the best dad in the world, always there for you whenever you needed him. Nothing was too much for him to do, miss him and his ‘kisses’ so much and also his humour, he was always joking around.
“Miss his presence, not his presents”
Always in my thoughts. xx
The best Grandad. Just so many wonderful things, and still so much living on in my memories. There are still countless times that I’m undertaking practical tasks and have your voice in my head teaching me how things are done. x
Such an amazing man and role model. Miss you every day Grandad x
“Who wants a polo?”