Rich enjoyed the outdoors, laughing at life’s funny moments, live music, birdwatching, growing sunflowers and tomatoes, playing with his kids and grandkids and perhaps nothing more than a warm wood stove and a quiet evening with the love of his life, Susie. 

They spent 47 years as husband and wife, a love story that began at Haddonfield Memorial High School in the fall of 1968. In addition to Susie (Hamlin), Rich is survived by his children, Ben (Carrie), of Lincoln Park, NJ, Matt (Adrienne), of Glenville, NY, and Holly Leon-Lierman (Trent), of Greenbelt Maryland; grandchildren Sadie and Evan Leon and Tre and Christian Leon-Lierman; brothers Arthur and John (Susan); sister Rita; his Hamlin family sisters- and brothers-in-law Cheryl and Don Harris, Peggy Cooley, JoAnn and Patrick Burns, Deborah and Randy White, Hilburn and Viola Hamlin; and many cousins, nieces and nephews who he truly enjoyed spending time with and trying to make laugh. He was predeceased by his sisters Nancy, Eileen and Kathleen. 

 Rich attended Christ the King in Haddonfield and graduated from Haddonfield High School in 1970. Some of his best memories were on the hardwood basketball courts of Christ the King and Haddonfield High and blacktops across South Jersey. He attended Glassboro State for three years and took a job as a letter carrier with the Haddonfield Post Office in 1973. He would spend 35 years delivering mail in Haddonfield, retiring in early 2008. Rich served the Post Office with distinction and had so much affection for those who lived on his routes and his union brothers and sisters.


Rich and Susie moved to Barrington in 1975 and raised their three children there. He coached many Barrington Little League and Barrington Basketball League teams. 

In 2010, they moved north to Glenville, NY. He loved South Jersey, but after nearly 60 years there, he enjoyed getting to know a new area, especially exploring the old Erie Canal and the towns along it. Rich was an active volunteer with the Friends of Schenectady County Library and the Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM) Food Pantry.


He answered to many names during his time with us: Rich, Dad, Papa Rich, Papa, Mr. Leon, Uncle Rich and Coach. All who were fortunate to cross paths with him will remember his thoughtful and energetic presence, wise and humorous insight on almost any situation that came his way, and his full heart. 

 A memorial service will be held at Beukendaal Fire House, 501 Sacandaga Road, Glenville, NY 12302, on Friday, July, 23. Family visitation will begin at 3 p.m., service at 4:30 p.m., followed by a reception. A celebration of life in South Jersey is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich’s memory to Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM), 839 Albany Street, Schenectady, NY 12307 (www.sicm.us)

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