Leonard Berkeley

Leonard Andre Berkeley (Aka Andy and Lenny) the second son of Justin and Barbara Berkeley. Leonard was born in Toronto Canada on May 21, 1960. His family moved to Philadelphia, New York, and the US Virgin Islands where he spent his formative years. He is survived by his Brother Stanley and Raymond, and Sister Michele Berkeley, 2 nieces Lila and Sachiko and a nephew Myles.

Ms. Barbara Berkeley often shared the story that Leonard was her most behaved baby. In fact, she said that sometimes she would forget to check on Leonard because he was such a quiet baby. Ms. Berkeley also described Leonard as a beautiful baby. She said he was often mistaken for a girl because he was so pretty.

Leonard was highly intelligent and excelled in school as an adolescent. He graduated from the Academy of the West Indies in St. Croix US Virgin Islands. Leonard displayed a great aptitude for land surveillance and joined his father, Justin Berkeley, and brother, Raymond Berkeley, in the family engineering firm, Antillean Engineers. Leonard was great in mechanics and could trouble shoot just about anything. He was an avid reader of thrillers and you knew Leonard was in the house if you turned on the TV and it was set to “Unsolved Mysteries”.

As a dedicated son, Leonard played a major role in the care of his parents towards the end of their life. He spent months in Washington, DC, assisting with his parents’ care and he was by their bedside until they transitoned.

Leonard lived life on his own terms. He was unapologetically a maverick and at the same time, he was a gentle teddy bear of a guy. Leonard was a great uncle, “Uncle Lenny” as he was affectonately called. He was childlike and playful and a big softie with his nieces, Sachi and Lilia and nephew, Miles. Leonard was my brother, but he was also my friend. I could speak to Leonard effortlessly about my highs and lows. He was good at listening and not judging. We shared a simple and quiet understanding. Leonard had my back.

Leonard was a hard worker, but he also played hard. Leonard was well known for his love for cars and motorbikes. He loved his off-road dirt bike adventures with his buddies. Most recently, he spoke of the ride that he had several months ago. I believe the freedom of those adventures brought him great joy. Leonard also found time to relax and listen to his favorite rock tunes and kick back with his Bud Light Beer. Leonard was also very fond of dogs. His dog Chopper was often his side kick on long road trips. He also had a special spot for my dog, Dori.

Michele Closing:

I have not yet processed the reality of my brother’s passing. I say the words, but the weight and finality of his death is still unbelievable. When we last spoke, I never imagined that I would not hear his voice again. From my earliest memory, Leonard has been there, a phone call, a road trip, a plane ride away. His passing has awakened me to the fragility of life and to be more purposefully in living. Ride free on the highways in heaven, Lenny. I love and miss you.