Obituary of Leonard John Vining

Leonard John Vining Jr was born in Liberty, New York on November 23, 1928, the first-born son of Leonard J Vining Sr and Louise Newcomb Chatfield. Leonard married his high school sweetheart, Mariam Wiers (predeceased) on June 3, 1947, they were married for 68 years. They were blessed with 3 children, Louise Ann Keneally (Robert), Lowell Edward Vining (Jill, predeceased) and Leonard John Vining III (Diane). Leonard had three brothers who predeceased him, Herbert, 3 months, Burdette, 27, and David, 12. He is survived by two brothers, Gilbert and Wesley.

Leonard and his father, Leonard Sr were partners in poultry business for several years; He also worked for the New York Fish and Game Department, was the Maplecrest Acting Post Master and was a skilled carpenter, building  and remodeling homes; Leonard was the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds at the Windham school for 25 years before he retired. He and Mariam enjoyed 27 years of retirement in the sunny state of Florida “snow-birding” each winter. Leonard was head contractor when remodeling a large church building for Hattian congregants in Immokalee, Florida; while retired in Florida, Leonard built a small home for a homeless man with donated land and materials, giving his labor as a generous gift. They returned to the Catskills and settled in Ashland with their son, Lowell, in their elder years, residing in their own private quarters that Lowell built just for them.

Leonard Vining Jr was known for his lifelong commitment to his wife, children and extended family. He was active in his church, serving on the Pastoral Board, teaching Sunday School, using his skills building and remodeling the church and many other projects. Leonard was known and respected for his integrity, loyalty, generosity, faithfulness, trustworthiness… his word was as binding as a contract could ever be. Leonard is remembered by those who knew him as a faithful believer in Jesus Christ as his Savior; Leonard passed peacefully from earth to heaven on June 20, 2024 at the age of 95. He will be sorely missed by many here on earth and one day, those who know his Savior, will be reunited with him.

Leonard Vining Jr is survived by his children mentioned above, and by grandchildren: Jennifer Ragland, Christy Keneally, Brenda Sims, Sean Keneally, Joshua Vining, Jessie Stevens and predeceased by Scott Vining Sr; and by great-grandchildren: Lakken Kovacik, Scott Vining Jr, Brian Vining, Leif Stevens, Asher Stevens, Hunter Ragland, Jacob Ragland, Hannah Ragland, Haley Ragland, Ashlynn Coffin, Madeline Coffin, Reese Coffin, Elliana Sims, Aubrielle Sims, Mason Sims, John Keneally III, Kelli Keneally and Kevin Keneally and by Justin Sims and Joel Sims (predeceased); and by great-great grandchildren: Izabella Vining and Rosamund Ragland.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, July 20^th at Living Faith Community Church at 11:00am in Maplecrest. Leonard loved his church, devoted himself to it, served whenever he could and was faithful to his church family his whole life.

If you would like to remember Leonard with a gift, it would please him most if it was given to  Living Faith Community Church, Charmaine Rusin, Pastor, PO Box 56, Maplecrest, New York 12454.