Eaton Peabody

Edward D. Leonard III (1942-2007) – October 29, 2007

Eaton Peabody Attorney Since 1970

BANGOR, ME – October 26, 2007   It is with deep regret and sorrow that Eaton Peabody informs its clients and friends that our friend and partner Edward D. “Ted” Leonard III passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in the evening hours of Thursday, October 25, 2007. He was 65.

“Ted Leonard has been a pillar of this law firm and this community for nearly four decades,” said Eaton Peabody president Dan McKay. “He was devoted both to his clients and to the many community causes for which he worked so tirelessly. He will be sorely missed.”

A cornerstone of the firm

Ted graduated from the University of Maine School of Law in 1969. He joined Eaton Peabody in 1970 and became a partner in 1974. He served for many years as chairman of Eaton Peabody’s Real Estate, Finance, Environmental Law and Timberlands practice groups and was a past president of the firm. He was widely recognized for the excellence of his practice and was regarded by many as the dean of timberlands lawyers in Maine. He was recognized by his peers and clients in both Chambers USA and Best Lawyers  as one of the top attorneys in his field.

“…one of the senior players in the industry.”

                                                           - Chambers USA, 2007

“Ted’s extensive knowledge, his practical approach to issues, his willingness to discuss the law, and share his knowledge and experience made him an invaluable member of this firm and a resource to Maine’s legal community,” said Karen Huber, Eaton Peabody Real Estate Attorney. “He held himself to the highest standards and expected nothing less from others.”

A pillar of our community

The Arts, in any medium, and wooden boats were two of Ted’s passions. He served in leadership positions for numerous charitable organizations, including the University of Maine Museum of Art, the Penobscot Theatre Company, the Bangor Symphony, the Maine Center for the Arts, and the Bangor Region Arts Council. In 2002, the University of Maine recognized Ted and his wife, Sandra, with the Vincent A. Hartgen Award for their efforts in advancing the arts.  They were particularly recognized for spearheading the successful effort to bring the University of Maine Museum of Art to downtown Bangor. Ted and Sandra are UMaine Alumni, class of 1965.

Ted was a noted art collector and his Kenduskeag Avenue farmhouse, purchased in 1974, serves as a personal art gallery featuring works by June Grey and Evelyn Hofer, among many others. The Leonard’s renovation of their home was recently the subject of a feature article in the Bangor Daily News.

During the summer months, Ted could be found pursuing his two recreational passions, sailing and fishing. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Penobscot Marine Museum and the Board of the Eddington United Salmon Club. “[I’ll be] on the working end of a fly rod,” he would tell colleagues before he ventured off on one of his many trips with his two chocolate labs and a select group of long time clients and friends.

Recently he was recognized for a significant donation to the Boothbay Harbor One Design Association, an association that provides education to sailing enthusiasts in the Boothbay Harbor region.

Ted’s sense of civic duty extended beyond the arts to numerous other charitable boards, including those of Bangor Children’s Home and the Katahdin Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

“Since 1979, I have been fortunate to have had Ted as my mentor, colleague and friend,” said Huber, “and like many others, will miss his counsel.”

Leonard was born in Newton Centre, Massachusetts.