Obituary of Leonard Henry Belair

obit Placed in crier and villager by family Leonard Henry Belair, 93, of Woodstock, passed away February 8, 2014 at the Matulaitis Nursing Home. Born January 21, 1921 in Putnam he was the son of Joseph Moses and Lucender (Montpelier) Belair. In 1945 after returning from WWII Army Air Corp. service in Europe he married Edna Cole West of Woodstock. The couple settled in Glastonbury where they raised their family. In the 1950’s Leonard founded Sound Engineering Corp. in Hartford. He operated the business until 1980 when he semi-retired. Returning to Woodstock he worked as a financial planner until age 70. Leonard and Edna enjoyed their retirement sharing good times with cherished friends and an annual family reunion at the Woodstock Fair. Leonard was a communicant at the Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret, an active member of the Woodstock Agricultural Society and sexton for Quasset Cemetery. He enjoyed music, dancing, bird watching, tinkering with clocks and caring for his home. In his later years he always wore his signature bolo tie. Leonard’s willingness to offer a helping hand, his belief in doing the right thing, quick wit and great story telling abilities made him a welcomed friend. He was known for his hugs - his grandchildren will always remember his greeting as he would pick them up, twirl them around and give the best hugs ever. In 2012 Leonard was preceded in death by Edna, his wife of 67 years and by three siblings, Charles Belair, Angele Firestine and Armen Belair. Leonard will be missed by family members; Randy Belair and wife Janis of Willington, CT, Timothy Belair and wife Kathy of South Berwick, ME, and Lori Dakin and husband Dennis of Woodstock CT. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Briana Ross and husband Jason, Kelly Hemming and husband Matt, Jennifer Dakin, Dana Allen and husband Peter, Kate Belair, and great grand-children, Jenna, Jackson, Lauren, Charlotte and Leonora. He also leaves behind a beloved brother, Arthur from Whitinsville, MA, who recently visited him. The entire Belair family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers at Matulaitis Nursing Home and Day Kimball Hospice. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be sent to the CT. Audubon Society (P.O. Box 11, Pomfret Center, 06259) or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. (19 Ohio Ave., Norwich, CT 06360).