Leonard Arthur Parry

BRANCHBURG- With great sadness we announce the passing of Leonard Arthur Parry, 85, who died on Saturday, November 26th, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on November 16th, 1937, in the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney North in England to the late Dora and Arthur Parry.  Leonard spent an idyllic childhood in East Haddon and north London, England.

Leonard was in the elite Honorable Artillery Company at age 16 and then served as a Sergeant in the Royal Army Service Corps, 109 Squadron from 1956 to 1959 in the British Army patrolling the borders between East and West Germany.  He later moved to the U.S. and married the love of his life Joan and together they raised their three sons in Marlboro, NJ.  In his spare time, he was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.  Leonard was an active member of the Marlboro Recreation soccer program where he coached, refereed and ultimately served as president of the board.  Leonard spent most of his career working in international commodities trading. 

After his retirement and the passing of his wife Joan, Leonard developed a deep passion for the care of the elderly and became a volunteer for the New Jersey Long Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO), advocating for patient rights and ensuring they received the dignity they deserved.  He later becoming an employee of NJLTCO helping seniors living in nursing homes move into their own residences through the “I Choose Home” program.  Leonard also had a passion for current events, moderating interactive discussions at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University (OLLI-RU).  He touched the lives of all those he knew with his kind, caring nature and sense of humor.  Leonard’s family was quite lucky to have such a remarkable man as their husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.    

Leonard is survived by his beloved sons Mark Tobin and wife Charlene, David Alan, and Stephen Robin and wife Jennifer; cherished grandchildren Max, Cole and Jacob; loving siblings Sylvia Evans and Christopher Parry; and his companion Lynn Shereshewsky.  He is predeceased by his beloved wife Joan Alice Parry, his parents and his brother Ronald Parry.

A private memorial service is planned for Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, NJ.  Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life gathering on November 29th, 2022, anytime from 6 to 9 pm at Stoney Brook Grille, 1285 NJ Rt 28 in Branchburg NJ.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CancerCare or National Council on Aging

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