PAUL JOSEPH LEONHARDT, 68, of Gulfport, FL, passed away Friday, December 1, 2017, at Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center Hospice, Bay Pines, FL. Paul was born in Toledo, Ohio, on February 18, 1949 to Joseph and Sophie (Zmijewski) Leonhardt. He graduated from Macomber Vocational Technical High School and received an Associate Degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Toledo. He also took courses at the Cleveland Institute of Electronics and St. Petersburg College.
Paul served in the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, FL and eventually moved to Florida. He was employed by Tropicana and Siemens and various other companies as a systems engineer. He enjoyed fishing in his free time and was a lover of animals. Paul was a very kind and generous friend to all especially those in need.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Betty J. Leonhardt and brother-in-law, Thomas Nortz. His sister, Dottie Nortz, and niece, Kristin Nortz of Toledo, OH, and many cousins, as well as special friend and wonderful caretaker, Denise Parenteau, of Gulfport, survive him.
Military graveside services will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery at a later date and a Memorial service will be held in Toledo, OH. Paul’s family thanks the Bay Pines VA staff for the special care given to Paul over the past several months. Tributes may be made to The Fisher House, P.O. Box 5005 (ooFH), Bay Pines, FL 33744 and to the Gulfport Animal Shelter.
