Francis R. Leonard, 92, of Marlborough, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Bridges by EPOCH in Sudbury. He was the loving husband of the late Georgette A. (Barton) Leonard, who predeceased him in 2011.

Born, raised, and educated in Marlborough, Francis was the son of the late Grace V. (Leonard) Bailey. A proud Korean War veteran, he served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956, with the majority of his service at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. After his honorable discharge, he began a 36-year career at Raytheon, retiring in 1995.

A dedicated member of the Marlborough Fish & Game Association and the Central MA R/C Modelers Club, Francis was known for his self-taught skills as a handyman and builder. He could repair anything and had a particular passion for constructing and flying radio-controlled airplanes. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing with his family, and skeet shooting at the Fish & Game. Francis also loved to read, and he excelled at his hobbies of carpentry and wood sculpting.

With a dry sense of humor and a quick wit, Francis was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. His quiet strength, sharp intelligence, and love for his family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He leaves a daughter, Kathleen M. Leonard of Marlborough, and her partner, James Kamataris; son Mark F. Leonard and his wife Beth of Northborough; grandchildren Joseph F. Leonard of Northborough and Christina G. Leonard of Boston; brother-in-law Edmond Barton of Hudson; and many nieces and nephews.  He was the grandfather of the late Jonathan Leonard Testa who died in December 2014. He was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Harry and Alfred Bailey and a sister Helen Duprey.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday February 12 at 10 AM in the Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street.  Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street.  Calling hours will be Tuesday February 11 from 5-8 PM in the funeral home.  All are invited to sign his online guestbook at collinsfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Collins Funeral Home.