Matthew John Leonard Jr. (1896-1985)

USS SOUTH CAROLINA

My ancestor Thomas Matthew Leonard's brother was Matthew John Leonard, Jr. (1896-1985). He attended St. Dominic's School and was a graduate of the Catholic Institute.

He served in the Navy during WWI, and spent two years at sea, on the USS South Carolina (above), among other ships.

Upon his return to Portland, he married Lizzie Graney from the neighborhood (1902-1990), and had two children, John and Richard.

Matthew's entire family, including his daughters-in-law, were active members ("communicants") at St. Patrick's Church in Portland.  They lived at 32 Sewall Street in Libbytown.

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
Congress Street, Portland

MATTHEW JOHN LEONARD, JR.,

LIZZIE GRANEY-LEONARD

AND CHILDREN

(1930's)

LIZZIE GRANEY-LEONARD

Lizzie was president of the Women's Sodality of the Church, and I've found several mentions of her hosting a variety of charity events at the Church in the late 40's and early 50's. Below is a picture she posed for at one of the events.

LIZZIE GRANEY LEONARD (1950)

Lizzie was one of 8 daughters to Patrick Graney (born Greaney) & Mary Duran-Graney of Galway Ireland.  While Madeline passed as an infant, the other 7 girls thrived to adulthood and lived their entire lives in the Portland area.

THE GRANEY SISTERS (1952)

(L to R):
Agnes Graney-McGonagle
Mary Graney-Burke
Alice Graney-McCallum
Mildred Graney-Couillard
Lizzie Graney-Leonard
Ella Graney-Haines
Ann Graney-Moses

Matthew worked with his father at Portland Terminal Company for 30 years. He had also worked briefly at South Portland Shipyard. He and his wife were married 61 years until his death in 1985. Lizzie died 5 years later, after a long illness.

As for their sons...

-John M. Leonard moved to New York City as a young adult and begun working as an advertiser for the Lever Brothers soap company.  He had two daughters, and several grandchildren, and currently lives in Succasunna, New Jersey.

-Richard B. Leonard is a retired muralist, and currently lives at Larrabee Village in Westbrook (the same facility as my mother's brother Walter!).  He married twice, but had no children.

GRAVE OF THE GRANEY FAMILY

& MATTHEW JOHN LEONARD JR'S FAMILY

Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, Maine