Obituary of Leonard Winston

Leonard T. Winston, 86, of Mission Hills CA, passed away Saturday July 6, 2013 at the Emeritus Assisted Living Center in Chatsworth after a brief battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Milene Winston and his brother Curtis. Leonard is survived by his sister Lorraine M. Boink and Bernard M. Boink of Rotterdam NY, his sister in-law Joan Winston of Merritt Island FL. nieces and nephews Daniel Winston, David Winston, Diane Winters, Deborah Severino, Tomas Boink of Rotterdam NY. He was born on November 2, 1926 in Carmen NY (Schenectady County) where he developed interests in horses, cars, motorcycles, aviation, and a love of the outdoors. He attended Carmen Elementary School K-8th grade and graduated from Draper High School in Rotterdam NY. On April 24, 1945 Leonard enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an airplane engine mechanic in the 5th Maintenance Company. He was part of the Ally occupational force stationed in Japan traveling extensively through the war-ravaged nation. He visited several Pacific Islands and very much enjoyed his time in Hawaii. In December 1946, he was honorably discharged from the Army achieving rank of Sergeant in the 309th Air Engineer Squadron. He moved back to Schenectady NY for roughly 9 years during which time he worked and attended vocational schools including auto-body repair. In 1956, Leonard moved to Los Angeles CA where he enlisted in the Beverly Hills Police Department in 1960 and serving honorably for 22 years. He patrolled the streets of Beverly Hills by patrol car and three-wheel motorcycle receiving high honors and commendations. After retiring from the Police Department in 1982 he worked for several private security companies and remained active in the community spending most of his weekends at his cabin in Big Bear CA. In his later years he loved spending time with his friends in the Mission Hills community, enjoying breakfast with his coffee club pals at the McDonald's on Sepulveda Blvd. and regularly volunteering at events such as the Scan-sponsored $2.00 meals at the Balboa Activity Center. Leonard became close friends with the folks at the Mission Mobile Park where he could always be taking active roles in social events including Tuesday night card games, Thursday night Bingo, and Sunday night Karaoke at the Monterey Mobile Park. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Hospice of Los Angeles and the Care Givers at Emeritus Assisted Living Center in Chatsworth for their loving care and support during Leonard's final days. Lastly, the family would like to recognize and thank Ginny Athey who greatly assisted Leonard and the family and whose selflessness, kindness, helpfulness and loving care will never be forgotten. The private services were held at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady NY on July 15th 2013. Leonard is buried in The Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery on Troy-Schenectady Rd. Niskayuna NY.